WO2023052751A1

WO2023052751A1 - Method and system for facilitating communication between an electronics module and an audio output device

Info

Publication number: WO2023052751A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Lynch
Original assignee: Prevayl Innovations Limited
Priority date: 2021-09-30
Filing date: 2022-09-27
Publication date: 2023-04-06

Abstract

The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user. The method comprises receiving, by the electronics module, audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronics device, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with an audio output device (S101). The method comprises generating, by the electronics module, an audio signal (S102). The method comprises communicating the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information (S103).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ELECTRONICS MODULE AND AN AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICE

The present invention is directed towards an electronics module, intermediary electronic device, system for facilitating and/or enhancing communication between the electronics module and an audio output device.

Background

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

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

A sensor senses a biosignal such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and the biosignals are coupled to the electronic device, via an interface. The sensors may be coupled to the interface by means of conductors which are connected to terminals provided on the interface to enable coupling of the signals from the sensor to the interface.

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

The electronic device includes drive and sensing electronics comprising components and associated circuitry, to provide the required functionality. The drive and sensing electronics include a power source to power the electronic device and the associated components of the drive and sensing circuitry.

ECG sensing is used to provide a plethora of information about a person’s heart. It is one of the simplest and oldest techniques used to perform cardiac investigations. In its most basic form, it provides an insight into the electrical activity generated within heart muscles that changes over time. By detecting and amplifying these differential biopotential signals, a lot of information can be gathered quickly, including the heartrate. Among professional medical staff, individual signals have names such as “the QRS complex,” which is the largest part of an ECG signal and is a collection of Q, R, and S signals, including the P and T waves.

Typically, the detected ECG signals can be displayed as a trace to a user for information along with other metrics derived from the ECG signals. The user may be a clinician who is looking to assess cardiac health, a lay user using the electronics module as a fitness or health and wellness assessment device, or a trainer that is looking to improve the performance of the user.

These existing approaches require the user to be in possession of and observing their user electronic device when performing activities in order to obtain real-time feedback. This is impractical, especially when the user is undertaking a vigorous activity.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0292050 A1 discloses providing audio instructions to an audio output device that is directly coupled to a portable fitness monitoring device. While this approach avoids the need for the user to be constantly holding and observing their user electronics device to obtain exercise feedback, it can be challenging to establish a wireless communication session with the audio output device. This is particularly the case if the electronics module has limited or no display and user input capabilities. In addition, the audio instructions are limited in their output and are not personalised to the individual user.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved approach for facilitating and/or enhancing communication between an electronics module for a wearable article and an audio output device.

Summary

According to the present disclosure there is provided an electronics module, intermediary electronic device, and system 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 disclosure, there is provided an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user. The electronics module comprises a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor. The communicator is arranged to receive audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronics device. The audio output device communication information facilitates communication with an audio output device.

The processor is arranged to generate an audio signal.

The communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

Advantageously, the electronics module receives audio output device communication information from the intermediary electronics device. The audio output device communication information facilitates communication between the electronics module and the audio output device. In this way, an intermediary device establishes the communication session which means that the electronics module is not required to have a user interface such as a display and user input means. This enables the electronics module to have a small form factor which enables it to be integrated into a wearable article without unduly affecting the comfort and appearance of the wearable article. Moreover, it avoids increasing the power consumption of the electronics module, as power hungry components such as touchscreens are not required.

The electronics module may receive audio output device communication information for facilitating communication with a plurality of audio output devices. The communicator may be arranged to communicate the audio signal to the plurality of audio output devices using the audio output device communication information.

The electronics module may communicate the audio signal directly to the audio output device. The electronics module may communicate the audio signal indirectly via one or more devices.

The audio signal may be a digital audio signal.

The audio signal may be generated using the monitored one or more performance parameters.

The audio output device communication information may comprise identification information for the audio output device. The identification information may comprise an identifier for the audio output device. The communicator may be arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device identified by the identification information.

The processor may be arranged to control the electronics module to establish a secure communication session with the audio output device using the audio output device communication information. The audio output device communication information may comprise a passkey.

The communicator may be arranged to broadcast the audio signal.

The audio output device communication information may comprise encryption information. The processor may be arranged to encrypt the audio signal using the encryption information prior to the audio signal being communicated to the audio output device.

The communicator may be arranged to receive an audio identifier for the user from the intermediary electronics device. The generated audio signal may comprise the received audio identifier.

Advantageously, the audio identifier enables the audio signal to be personalised for the user.

The electronics module may be arranged to removably couple with a wearable article.

The electronics module may comprise an interface arranged to removably couple with a sensing component of the wearable article.

The sensing component may comprise an electrode.

The one or more monitored performance parameters may be derived at least in part from measurement signals received by the electronics module from the sensing component.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an intermediary electronics device arranged to facilitate communication between an electronics module for a wearable article and an audio output device. The intermediary electronics device comprises a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor.

The communicator is arranged to receive a signal from the electronics module;

In response to receiving the signal, the processor is arranged to trigger the communicator to transmit audio output device communication information to the electronics module, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with the audio output device. The processor may be arranged to generate an audio identifier for a user, and control the communicator to transmit the generated audio identifier to the electronics module.

The processor may be arranged to compress the generated audio identifier prior to transmission to the electronics module.

The intermediary electronic device may be an electronics module for a wearable article. According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system.

The system comprises an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user.

The system comprises an intermediary electronics device arranged to wirelessly communicate with the electronics module.

The system comprises an audio output device.

The intermediary electronics device is arranged to transmit audio output device communication information to the electronics module.

The electronics module is arranged to generate an audio signal such as by using the one or more monitored performance parameters.

The electronics module is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

The audio output device is arranged to output the audio signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of facilitating communication between an electronics module for a wearable article, and an audio output device. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user.

The method comprises receiving, by the electronics module, audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronics device, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with an audio output device.

The method comprises generating, by the electronics module, an audio signal. The method comprises communicating the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user. The electronics module comprises a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor.

The processor is arranged to obtain an audio identifier for the user;

The processor is arranged to generate an audio signal using audio identifier.

The communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to an audio output device.

Advantageously, the electronics module generates audio signals for communication with an audio output device. The audio signals comprise an audio identifier for the user. In this way, the electronics module is able to deliver personalised audio signals to the audio output device.

The processor may be arranged to generate the audio signal using the monitored one or more performance parameters.

The communicator may be arranged to receive the audio identifier from an intermediary electronic device.

The communicator may be arranged to broadcast the audio signal.

The communicator may be arranged to receive audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronic device. The communicator may be arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

The audio output device communication information may comprise identification information for the audio output device. The identification information may comprise an identifier for the audio output device. The communicator may be arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device identified by the identification information. The processor may be arranged to control the electronics module to establish a secure communication session with the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

The audio output device communication information may comprise a passkey.

The sensing component may comprise an electrode.

According to a sixth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an intermediary electronics device arranged to facilitate communication between an electronics module for a wearable article and an audio output device. The intermediary electronics device comprising a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator. The memory stores instructions that are executable by the processor. The communicator may be arranged to receive a signal from the electronics module. In response to receiving the signal, the processor may be arranged to generate an audio identifier for a user and trigger the communicator to transmit the audio identifier to the electronics module.

The processor may be arranged to trigger the communicator to transmit audio output device communication information to the electronics module. The audio output device communication information facilitates communication with the audio output device.

According to a seventh aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system. The system comprises an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user.

The system comprises an audio output device.

The intermediary electronics device is arranged to transmit an audio identifier for the user to the electronics module.

The electronics module is arranged to generate an audio signal using audio identifier.

The electronics module is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device.

The audio output device is arranged to output the audio signal.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to communicate with an audio output device. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user.

The method comprises receiving, by the electronics module, an audio identifier for the user.

The method comprises generating, by the electronics module, an audio signal comprising the audio identifier.

The method comprises communicating the audio signal to the audio output device.

According to a ninth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module being arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user. The electronics module being arranged to request, via a mesh network, to send an audio signal to an audio output device. The electronics module being arranged to determine based on a response or absence of a response received via the mesh network whether to send the audio signal to the audio output device.

The electronics module may be arranged to send the audio signal to the audio output device in response to determining to send the audio signal. The electronics module may be arranged to send the audio signal directly to the audio output device. The electronics module may be arranged to send the audio signal to the audio output device via the mesh network.

The request may comprise a priority level for the audio signal. The priority level may be determined based on the monitored one or more performance parameters.

The electronics module may comprise any or all of the features of the electronics module of the first or fifth aspect of the disclosure.

According to a tenth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method performed by an electronics module for a wearable article. The electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user. The method comprises requesting, via a mesh network, to send an audio signal to an audio output device. The method comprises determining based on a response or absence of a response received via the mesh network whether to send the audio signal to the audio output device.

The method may comprise sending the audio signal to the audio output device in response to determining to send the audio signal. The audio signal may be sent directly to the audio output device or may be sent indirectly via the mesh network.

The method may comprise any or all of the features of the method of the fourth or eighth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to an eleventh aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system comprising a plurality of electronics modules according to the ninth aspect of the disclosure, wherein the plurality of electronics modules form the mesh network.

The system may comprise an intermediary electronics device. The intermediary electronics device may send audio output device communication information to one or more of the electronics modules.

The system may comprise the audio output device.

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 for an example system according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram for an example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram for another example electronics module according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram for an example analogue-to-digital converter using in the example electronics module of Figures 2 and 3 according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the components of an example user electronics device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figures 6 and 7 show screenshots of a training application running on a user electronics device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram for an example method according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 9 shows example audio files according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 10 shows a flow diagram for another example method according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figures 11 and 12 show example audio files according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 13 shows a flow diagram for another example method according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram for an example system 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sensing components may be used for measuring one or a combination of bioelectrical, bioimpedance, biochemical, biomechanical, bioacoustics, biooptical 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.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown an example system 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The system 10 comprises an electronics module 100, a wearable article in the form of a garment 200, an intermediary electronics device 300 and an audio output device 700. The garment 200 is worn by a user who in this embodiment is the wearer 600 of the garment 200. The audio output device 700 may be any form of audio output device that is able to receive audio signals over a wireless communication protocol such as a Bluetooth ® communication protocol. The audio output device 700 may be a speaker, headphones, or earphones which are also referred to as earbuds.

The electronics module 100 is arranged to integrate with sensing units 400 incorporated into the garment 200 to obtain signals from the sensing units 400. The electronics module 100 and the wearable article 200 and including the sensing units 400 comprise a wearable assembly 500.

The sensing units 400 comprise one or more sensors 209, 211 with associated conductors 203, 207 and other components and circuitry. The electronics module 100 is further arranged to wirelessly communicate data to the user electronic device 300 and the audio output device 700. Various protocols enable wireless communication between the electronics module 100 and the user electronic device 300. Example communication protocols include Bluetooth ®, Bluetooth ® Low Energy, and near-field communication (NFC).

The garment 200 has an electronics module holder in the form of a pocket 201 . The pocket 201 is sized to receive the electronics module 100. When disposed in the pocket 201 , the electronics module 100 is arranged to receive sensor data from the sensing units 400. The electronics module 100 is therefore removable from the garment 200.

The present disclosure is not limited to electronics module holders in the form pockets.

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

Beneficially, the removable electronics module 100 may contain all the components required for data transmission and processing such that the garment 200 only comprises the sensing units 400 e.g. the sensors 209, 21 1 and communication pathways 203, 207. In this way, manufacture of the garment 200 may be simplified. In addition, it may be easier to clean a garment 200 which has fewer electronic components attached thereto or incorporated therein. Furthermore, the removable electronics module 100 may be easier to maintain and/or troubleshoot than embedded electronics. The electronics module 100 may comprise flexible electronics such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

The electronic module 100 may be configured to be electrically coupled to the garment 200.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a schematic diagram of an example of the electronics module 100 of Figure 1. A more detailed block diagram of the electronics components of electronics module 100 and garment are shown in Figure 3.

The electronics module 100 comprises an interface 101 , a controller 103, a power source 105, and one or more communication devices which, in the exemplary embodiment comprises a first antenna 107, a second antenna 109 and a wireless communicator 159. The electronics module 100 also includes an input unit such as a proximity sensor or a motion sensor 111 , for example in the form of an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

The electronics module 100 also includes additional peripheral devices that are used to perform specific functions as will be described in further detail herein.

The interface 101 is arranged to communicatively couple with the sensing unit 400 of the garment 200. The sensing unit 400 comprises - in this example - the two sensors 209, 211 coupled to respective first and second electrically conductive pathways 203, 207, each with respective termination points 213, 215. The interface 101 receives signals from the sensors 209, 21 1. The controller 103 is communicatively coupled to the interface 101 and is arranged to receive the signals from the interface 101 for further processing. The sensors 209, 211 are electrodes in this example.

The interface 101 of the embodiment described herein comprises first and second contacts 163, 165 which are arranged to be communicatively coupled to the termination points 213, 215 the respective first and second electrically conductive pathways 203, 207. The coupling between the termination points 213, 215 and the respective first and second contacts 163, 165 may be conductive or a wireless (e.g. inductive) communication coupling.

In this example the sensors 209, 211 are electrodes used to measure electropotential signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, although the sensors 209, 211 could be configured to measure other biosignal types as also discussed above.

In this embodiment, the sensors 209, 211 are configured for so-called dry connection to the wearer’s skin to measure ECG signals. The power source 105 may comprise a plurality of power sources. The power source 105 may be a battery. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The battery may be a rechargeable battery adapted to be charged wirelessly such as by inductive charging. The power source 105 may comprise an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device may be configured to generate electric power signals in response to kinetic events such as kinetic events 10 performed by the wearer 600 of the garment 200. The kinetic event could include walking, running, exercising or respiration of the wearer 600. The energy harvesting material may comprise a piezoelectric material which generates electricity in response to mechanical deformation of the converter. The energy harvesting device may harvest energy from body heat of the wearer 600 of the garment. The energy harvesting device may be a thermoelectric energy harvesting device. The power source 105 may be a super capacitor, or an energy cell.

The first antenna 107 is arranged to communicatively couple with the user electronic device 300 and/or the audio output device 700 using a first communication protocol. In the example described herein, the first antenna 107 is a passive tag such as a passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or Near Field Communication (NFC) tag. These tags comprise a communication module as well as a memory which stores the information, and a radio chip. The first antenna 107 can be used to exchange information with the user electronic device 300 or the audio output device 700. This may be used to facilitate pairing such as in an out-of-band pairing process.

The second antenna 109 is arranged to communicatively couple with the user electronic device 300 and/or the audio output device 700 over a second wireless communication protocol. The second wireless communication protocol may be a Bluetooth ® protocol, Bluetooth ® 5 or a Bluetooth ® Low Energy protocol but is not limited to any particular communication protocol. In the present embodiment, the second antenna 109 is integrated into controller 103. The second antenna 109 enables communication between the user electronic device 300/audio output device 700 and the controller 100 for configuration and set up of the controller 103 and the peripheral devices as may be required. Configuration of the controller 103 and peripheral devices utilises the Bluetooth ® protocol.

The first antenna 107 and the second antenna 109 are not required in all examples. A single communicator 159 (e.g. comprising second antenna 109) may be provided. Magnetic inductive near-field communication capabilities are not required in all examples.

The present disclosure is not limited to the communication protocols described above. In general, any wireless communication protocols can be used, such as for communication over: a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metro area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), Bluetooth ® Low Energy, Bluetooth ® Mesh, Thread, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, Ant, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a cellular communication network, or any other electromagnetic RF communication protocol. The cellular communication network may be a fourth generation (4G) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), LTE Cat-M1 , LTE Cat-M2, NB-loT, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), and/or any other present or future developed cellular wireless network.

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

The electronics module 100 also includes a location device 161 such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device which is arranged to provide location and position data for applications as required. In particular, the location device 161 provides geographical location data at least to a nation state level. Any device suitable for providing location, navigation or for tracking the position could be utilised. The GNSS device may include Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and the Galileo system devices.

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

The USB C input 131 is also coupled to the controller 131 to enable direct communication between the controller 103 and an external device if required.

The controller 103 is communicatively connected to the battery monitor 135 so that the controller 103 may obtain information about the state of charge of the battery 105.

The controller 103 has an internal memory 167 and is also communicatively connected to an external memory 143 which in this example is a NAND Flash memory. The memory 143 is used for the storage of data when no wireless connection is available between the electronics module 100 and a user electronic device 300. The memory 143 may have a storage capacity of at least 1 GB and preferably at least 2 GB. The electronics module 100 also comprises a temperature sensor 145 and a light emitting diode 147 for conveying status information. The electronic module 100 also comprises conventional electronics components including a power-on-reset generator 149, a development connector 151 , the real time clock 153 and a PROG header 155.

The electronics module 100 comprises a motion sensor 111 , a temperature sensor 145, and a light emitting diode 147 for conveying status information. The electronics module 100 is not limited to these examples and may include other forms of sensors such as optical sensors for measuring a user’s pulse rate and/or oxygen saturation. The housing of the electronics module 100 may have an opening or window to allow for the optical sensor to have line of sight with a skin surface of the wearer.

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

The controller 103 is connected to the interface 101 via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) front end 139 and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit 141.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the component circuitry for the ADC front end 139.

In the example described herein, the ADC front end 139 is an integrated circuit (IC) chip which converts the raw analogue biosignal received from the sensors 209, 211 into a digital signal for further processing by the controller 103. ADC IC chips are known, and any suitable one can be utilised to provide this functionality. ADC IC chips for ECG applications include, for example, the MAX30003 chip produced by Maxim Integrated Products Inc.

The ADC front end 139 includes an input 169 and an output 171 .

Raw biosignals from the electrodes 209, 211 are input to the ADC front end 139, where received signals are processed in an ECG channel 175 and subject to appropriate filtering through high pass and low pass filters for static discharge and interference reduction as well as for reducing bandwidth prior to conversion to digital signals. The reduction in bandwidth is important to remove or reduce motion artefacts that give rise to noise in the signal due to movement of the sensors 209, 211 .

The output digital signals may be decimated to reduce the sampling rate prior to being passed to a serial programmable interface (SPI) 173 of the ADC front end 139. Signals are output to the controller 103 via the SPI 173. The digital signal values output to the controller 103 are stored in a FIFO data buffer. The controller 103 performs operations to detect R-peaks from the digital signal values. The operations are performed in real-time while the ADC front end 139 is outputting new digital signal values to the controller 103.

ADC front end IC chips suitable for ECG applications may be configured to determine information from the input biosignals such as heart rate and the QRS complex and including the R-R interval. Support circuitry 177 provides base voltages for the ECG channel 175. Although this is not required in all examples, as these determinations such as for identifying peaks in the heartrate signal may be performed by the controller 103 of the electronics module 100.

Signals are output to the controller 103 via the SPI 173. The signals may be digital heartrate values obtained by the ADC front end 139.

The controller 103 can also be configured to apply digital signal processing (DSP) to the digital signal from the ADC front end 139.

The DSP may include noise filtering additional to that carried out in the ADC front end 139 and may also include additional processing to determine further information about the signal from the ADC front end 139.

The intermediate electronic device 300 in the example of Figure 5 is a user electronic device 300 in the form of a mobile phone or tablet and comprises a controller 305, a memory 304 (which may be internal to the controller 305), a wireless communicator 307, a display 301 , a user input unit 306, a capturing device in the form of a camera 303 and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 309. The controller 305 provides overall control to the user electronic device 300.

The user input unit 306 receives inputs from the user such as a user credential.

The memory 304 stores information for the user electronic device 300.

The display 301 is arranged to display a user interface for applications operable on the user electronic device 300.

The IMU 309 provides motion and/or orientation detection and may comprise an accelerometer and optionally one or both of a gyroscope and a magnetometer.

The user electronic device 300 may also include a biometric sensor. The biometric sensor may be used to identify a user or users of the user electronic device 300 based on unique physiological features. The biometric sensor may be: a fingerprint sensor used to capture an image of a user's fingerprint; an iris scanner or a retina scanner configured to capture an image of a user's iris or retina; an ECG module used to measure the user’s ECG; or the camera of the user electronic device 300 arranged to capture the face of the user. The biometric sensor may be an internal module of the user electronic device 300. The biometric module may be an external (stand-alone) device which may be coupled to the user electronic device 300 by a wired or wireless link.

The controller 305 is configured to launch an application which is configured to display insights derived from the biosignal data processed by the ADC front end 139 of the electronics module 100, input to electronics module controller 103, and then transmitted from the electronics module 100. The transmitted data is received by the wireless communicator 307 of the user electronic device 300 and input to the controller 305.

Insights include, but are not limited to, an ECG signal trace i.e. the QRS complex, heart rate, respiration rate, core temperature but can also include identification data for the wearer 600 using the wearable assembly 500.

The display 301 may be a presence-sensitive display and therefore may comprise the user input unit 306. The presence-sensitive display may include a display component and a presence- sensitive input component. The presence sensitive display may be a touch-screen display arranged as part of the user interface.

User electronic devices in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to mobile phones or tablets and may take the form of any electronic device which may be used by a user to perform the methods according to aspects of the present disclosure. The user electronic device 300 may be a tablet personal computer (PC), smart phone, video telephone, laptop PC, netbook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile medical device, camera or wearable device. The user electronic device 300 may include a head-mounted device such as an Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality or Mixed Reality head-mounted device. The user electronic device 300 may be a desktop PC, workstation, television apparatus or a projector, e.g. arranged to project a display onto a surface.

In addition, the intermediary electronic device 300 is not required to be a user electronic device 300 and may be, for example, a remote server.

The electronics module 100 is able to perform processing on the obtained biosignals to generate one or more performance parameters representative of the physical activity performed by the user. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular performance parameters. Examples include the heartrate, training intensity, temperature, respiration rate, and hydration level.

The heartrate of the user is a useful metric and is an example performance parameter that a user or other individual, such as a coach or personal trainer, may desire to monitor during exercise. During exercise, a user’s heart rate will vary. Generally, the higher the heart rate, the more intense the workout. As such a measure of a user’s heart rate, whilst working out, provides an indication of the intensity of the workout.

People have a resting heart rate, which is the heart rate when a person is at rest. There is also a maximum heart rate (MHR) which is the highest heart rate that the cardiovascular system can handle during physical activity. Between these two values are different zones or ranges, measured as a percentage of the maximum heart rate. These zones or ranges or often referred to as training zones and can be used as a measure of training intensity.

There are a number of different formats of training zones used during exercise to guide training levels and workouts. One that is often used divides exercise intensity into five training zones:

Zone 1 : Very light, 50 percent to 60 percent of MHR

Zone 2: Light, 60 percent to 70 percent of MHR

Zone 3: Moderate, 70 percent to 80 percent of MHR

Zone 4: Hard, 80 percent to 90 percent of MHR

Zone 5: Very hard, 90 percent to 100 percent of MHR

Advice by health bodies in the US, UK and Australia is that people should aim to spend at least 150 minutes a week doing a moderate intensity workout.

A person’s MHR can be determined using known principles. The most common way to determine a person’s maximum heart rate is by using one of the many age-based equations. The most well-known of these is the Fox formula:

220 - age = Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)

Other age-based formulae include the Gelish equation of 207 - (0.7 x age) and the Tanaka equation of 208 - (0.7 x age). The Gelish and Tanaka equations are sometimes preferred as they have a lower standard deviation.

In the present example of the invention, the MHR is calculated using an age-based formula such as the following equation: For female:

190.2

For males:

203.7

where e = Euler’s number = 2.718282

In some examples, the MHR is determined by having the user perform exercise and measure their highest heart rate. The exercise may be maximal effort exercise which is typically performed in a controlled setting although it is also possible to determine MHR during freely performed exercise. Example methods of determining MHR during freely performed exercise are disclosed in European Patent Publication No. EP3656304.

Personal data for the user which may be used in calculating the MHR may be input via a training application running on the intermediary electronic device 300. The training application includes a ‘Settings’ screen 3052 which can be accessed through a settings icon 3053 on the ‘Home’ screen 3021 . This is illustrated in Figure 7. Within the ‘Settings’ screen, the user is able to input personal data such as Name 3047, Date of Birth 3048, Sex 3049, Weight 3050 and Height 3051 . Some or all of this information can be used to determine the MHR of the user which may then be transmitted to the electronics module 100 for use in determining the training zones. Alternatively, the personal data may be transmitted to the electronics module 100 which may then determine the MHR.

It is useful for the user or other individual such as a user’s coach or personal trainer to know what training intensity level the user is in during a workout. This information is desired to be known in real-time so that positive adjustments to the user’s workout can be made if required.

In some examples, the training application running on the user electronic device 300 displays the workout information to the user, coach or personal trainer. The electronics module 100 transmits the information to the user electronic device 300 for display.

During the training session, a ‘Workout’ screen 3031 is displayed to the user - see Figure 6. This screen 3031 displays data relating to the current training session, such as elapsed time 3032, heart rate 3033, heart trace 3034, core temperature 3035, and calories used 3036. The ‘Workout’ screen 3031 is also configured to display a visual indicator of which of the five training zones 3038 the user is currently in. The insights and data that are displayed may vary depending upon the type of exercise being undertaken.

The training application running on the user electronic device 300 is able to provide real-time workout feedback to the user. However, it can be impractical for the user to carry and inspect their user electronic device 300 during a workout.

It is desirable to provide workout feedback in the form of audio cues that may be output via an audio output device 700 such as wireless enabled headphones or earphones (also referred to as earbuds). It is known to wirelessly connect such audio output devices to a user electronic device over a wireless communication protocol such as a Bluetooth communication protocol. However, this still requires the user to carry their user electronic device 300.

It would be desirable for the electronics module 100 to directly communicate audio signals to the audio output device 700. However, the limited or non-existent user interface of the electronics module 100 makes it challenging to establish communication sessions between the electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700.

The electronics module 100 typically does not have all of the functionality of a conventional user electronic device 300 such as a mobile phone. The reduced functionality of the electronics module 100 is to generally to make the module 100 small and light so that it can be more easily incorporated into a wearable article and worn with comfort by the user. The electronics module 100 typically does not have a user input device such as a touchscreen or keyboard via which the user can enter complicated control commands. The electronics module 100 typically does not have a display beyond a single or small number of LEDs for indicating information such as battery level. In this way, it is not practical for a user to establish a communication session with the audio output device 700 via the electronics module 100. It is not possible, for example, for a user to select, via the electronics module 100, an audio output device for the electronics module 100 to pair with.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the user electronic device 300 is used as an intermediary electronic device 300 to share audio output device communication information with the electronics module 100. The audio output device communication information enables the electronics module 100 to communicate with the audio output device 700. Once the audio output device communication information is shared, the user electronic device 300 is not required. In this way, once the audio output device communication information has been shared, the user only has to possess their electronics module 100 and audio output device 700 in order to obtain training feedback. The user is not required to additionally cany or inspect their user electronic device 300 during a workout. Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a flow diagram of an example method of facilitating communication between an electronics module 100 and an audio output device 700. The electronics module 100 may be the electronics module 100 as described above.

The electronics module 100 is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user. The electronics module 100 comprises a processor 103, a memory 105, and wireless communicator 159. The memory 105 stores instructions that are executable by the processor 103.

Step S101 comprises receiving, via the communicator 159, audio output device communication information from the intermediary electronics device 300.

The audio output device communication information facilitates communication with the audio output device 700.

In some examples, the audio output device communication information comprises identification information for the audio output device 700.

The identification information may comprise an audio output device identifier. This may be a communication address for the audio output device 700 for example such as a MAC address or Bluetooth (RTM) address. The identifier is useable by the electronics module 100 to enable the electronics module 100 to communicate with the audio output device 700.

The identification information may comprise information about the properties of the audio output device 700. This may include information such as the communication capabilities of the audio output device 700 such as the communication protocols it supports. The device information may also specify the format such as the size, bandwidth and encoding protocols to use for the audio signal. This information may be in the form of manufacturer information and/or the model number/type of the audio output device 700.

In some examples, the user will select the audio output device 700 that the electronics module 100 is desired to communicate with via a user input of the user electronic device 300. The user electronic device 300 may separately communicate with the audio output device 700 to obtain the audio output device communication information or the audio output device communication information may be prestored on the user electronic device 300.

Step S102 comprises the electronics module 100 generating an audio signal. Generally, the audio signal is a speech signal generated using the monitored one or more performance parameters. The speech signal conveys status information derived from the one or more performance parameters or provides coaching feedback to the user. For example, "Your heart rate is 120 bpm”, “You are in training zone 3”, “You have burned 200 caiories during this workout”, or “Increase the intensity to move into training zone 4”.

The speech signal may be generated using a text-to-speech converter or by selectively combining pre-stored audio files that contain generated or recorded audio snippets.

Figure 9 shows an example of how audio files may be selectively combined to generate the audio signal. The desired utterance follows the format “You are in Training Zone X”, where X is determined from the monitored one or more performance parameters.

A first audio file 1001 contains the phrase “You are in Training Zone”. A further five audio files 1003, 1005, 1007, 1009, 1011 contain the different training zone options (“1 ”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”). The electronics module 100 selects the audio file that matches the heart rate zone determined for the user from their measured heart rate and combines the first audio file 1001 with the relevant training zone audio file 1003, 1005, 1007, 1009, 1011 to generate the desired audio signal.

Referring again to Figure 8, Step S103 comprises communicating the audio signal to the audio output device 700 using the audio output device communication information. in some examples, the electronics module 100 uses the audio output device communication information to establish a secure communication session with the audio output device 700. This may be referred to as a pairing process. Example communication protocols where such pairing processes may be used include the Bluetooth ® family of protocols such as Bluetooth ® protocol, Bluetooth ® 5 or a Bluetooth ® Low Energy protocol. in an example pairing process, the audio output device 700 is controlled to enter into a pairing mode which causes it to broadcast basic information over the wireless communication protocol. The basic information indicates that the audio output device 700 is eligible for pairing and may comprise some or all of the identification information that the electronics module 100 receives from the intermediary electronic device 300. The pairing mode may be triggered by a pairing button being pressed on the audio output device 700 or the audio output device 700 being powered on for example.

In response to receiving the audio output device identification information, the electronics module 100 performs a scan for nearby devices communicating over the wireless communication protocol. This enables the electronics module 100 to identify devices in communication range with the electronics module 100 that are communicating over the wireless communication protocol and are thus candidates for establishing a (secure) communication session. The electronics module 100 automatically commences this scan for nearby devices. A user input to trigger the scan is not necessarily required

The electronics module 100 receives the basic information from the audio output device 700 and compares this information to the identification information received from the intermediary electronic device 300. If there is a match, the electronics module 100 exchanges information with the audio output device 700 to establish the secure communication session.

The information exchanged may comprise authentication information. The exchange of authentication information helps ensure secure communication between the electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700.

In most examples, exchanging authentication information involves the electronics module 100 and audio output device 700 exchanging a temporary key which is then used to generate a short- term key which is used to authorise the connection and establish an encrypted communication session.

In a simple example, known as Just Works ™ pairing, the electronics module 100 and audio output device 700 exchange a temporary key which is set to have a default value such as a value of 0.

In other examples, passkey pairing may be used. In passkey pairing, the temporary key is input by a user. In an example passkey pairing operation, a user enters a passkey into a user interface of the intermediary electronic device 300. The passkey is transmitted to the electronics module 100 which then transmits the same to the audio output device 700. The same passkey may be input by the user into the audio output device 700 or may be pre-stored or otherwise obtainable by the audio output device 700 (e.g. from the intermediary electronic device 300). The passkey is then used to generate the short-term key.

In other examples, out-of-band pairing may be used. Out-of-band pairing involves the electronics module 100 and audio output device 700 exchanging pairing information over a different communication protocol such as a near-field communication protocol.

Verification information may be stored by the electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700. The verification information allows the module 100 and audio output device 700 to reconnect with one another in future without going through the pairing process described above. This process is known as bonding. This may be performed in response to the electronics module 100 or the audio output device 700 transmitting a bonding message. In this way, a pairing process does not need to be performed in future in order for audio signals to be transmitted from the electronics module 100 to the audio output device.

In some examples, it may be desirable that the verification information is not generated and stored. This may be useful in the situation where many electronics modules are available for pairing with the audio output device 700 or vice versa.

The audio signal received by the audio output device 700 from the electronics module 100 is output to the user.

The present disclosure is not limited to establishing secure communication sessions as described above.

In other examples, the electronics module 100 may broadcast the audio signal.

The audio output device communication information may, for example, include encryption information used to encrypt the audio signal prior to transmission. This may help ensure that only the audio output device 700 possessing the necessary information to decrypt the audio signal can decode and output the audio signal that is broadcast by the electronics module 100.

Secure communication, while desired, is not required in all settings.

The audio output device communication information may include an identifier for the audio output device 700 as described above. The identifier may be included in the audio signal (e.g. in a header of the audio signal). This enables the broadcast audio signal to specify which audio output device 700 should output the audio.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a flow diagram of another example method of facilitating communication between an electronics module 100 and an audio output device 700 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The electronics module 100 may be the electronics module 100 as described above.

Step S201 comprises receiving, via the communicator 159, audio output device communication information from the intermediary electronics device 300. Step S201 is the same as step SI 01 described above. Step S202 comprises receiving, via the communicator 159, an audio identifier for the user. The audio identifier is an audio signa! that contains a spoken utterance of a chosen identifier for the user. In general, the spoken utterance is the user’s name.

In some examples, the training application running on the user electronic device 300 accesses the user’s name originally input via the ‘Settings’ screen 3052 shown in Figure 7.

In some examples, the user electronic device 300 inputs the user’s name into a text-to-speech converter to generate the audio identifier. In other examples, the user electronic device 300 accesses a pre-recorded audio file that matches the user’s name. This may be obtained from, for example, an online library of audio files containing human speech. In other examples, the user electronic device 300 allows the user to record their own audio identifier using a microphone of or operatively connected to the user electronic device 300.

The user electronic device 300 typically compresses the audio using an appropriate audio codec prior to transmission to the electronics module 100. Example audio codecs include the Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3).

Step S203 comprises the electronics module 100 generating an audio signal. This is similar to step S102 described above. The audio signal may additionally comprise the audio identifier for the user received from the user electronic device 300. Advantageously, this allows for personalised audio cues to be sent to the audio output device 700.

Figures 11 and 12 show examples of how audio files are combined to generate personalised audio cues.

Figure 11 shows different audio files 1013, 1015, 1017 that may be selected by the electronics module 100 based on the monitored one or more performance parameters.

The audio file “Great job” 1013 may be selected if, for example, the monitored one or more performance parameters show that the user is in the intended training zone or otherwise meeting their fitness goals.

The audio file “Push harder” 1015 may be selected if, for example, the monitored one or more performance parameters show that the user is in a lower training zone than their intended training zone or otherwise not meeting their fitness goals.

The audio file “Take a break” 1017 may be selected if, for example, the monitored one or more performance parameters show that the user is at risk of fatigue or injury. This may be shown from, for example, the users heartrate variability, their hydration level, or the total time they have spent in certain training zones. For example, if the user has spent more than a threshold time in a high training zone (such as training zone 4 or 5), it may be desirable to prompt the user to take a break to avoid overexertion.

The selected audio file 1015 is combined with the audio identifier 1019 for the user to generate the audio signal. In this case, the audio signal is “Push harder Samantha”.

Figure 12 shows an example of how different audio files may be combined to generate an audio signal that is sent to a person other than the user of the wearable article. This may be, for example, a coach or instructor. The coach may be overseeing a number of users at the same time. It may be impractical for the coach to observe training data via a user electronic device as they may be conducting exercise at the same time (e.g. during a guided workout).

Transmitting audio signals from the electronics modules associated with different users allows the coach to obtain training feedback for the users without inspecting a user electronic device. Advantageously, incorporating user identifiers into the audio signal enables the coach to determine the user that the audio signal relates to. This enables the coach to provide personalised feedback to the user.

The personalised audio file 1021 is combined with one of the audio files 1023, 1025, 1027 to provide a personalised exercise instruction that is transmitted to the audio output device 700 associated with the coach. In this case, the audio signal is “Terri should slow down”.

The audio file “should take a break” 1023 is selected if, for example, the monitored one or more performance parameters show that the user is at risk of fatigue or injury.

The audio file “should slow down” 1025 is selected if, for example, the monitored one or more performance parameters show that the user is over-exerting themselves.

The audio file “should increase intensity” 1027 Is selected if, for example, the monitored one or more performance parameters show that the user should increase their training intensity.

Referring again to Figure 10, step S204 of the method comprises transmitting the audio signal to the audio output device 700 using the audio output device communication information. This is the same as step S103 of Figure 8. Referring to Figure 13, there is shown an exampie method performed by the user electronic device 300 for facilitating communication between the electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700.

Step S301 comprises the user electronic device 300 detecting the electronics module 100. This may comprise receiving a signal from the electronics module 100.

In some examples, the signal is received from the first antenna 107 of the electronics module 100 (Figures 2 and 3) using the first communication protocol. The user electronic device 300 may be brought into proximity with the electronics module 100. The user electronic device 300 is powered to induce a magnetic field in an antenna of the user electronic device 300. When the user electronic device 300 is placed in the magnetic field of the communication module antenna 107, the user electronic device 300 induces current in the communication module antenna 107. This induced current triggers the electronics module 100 to retrieve information from the memory of the tag and transmit the same back to the user electronic device 300.

In other examples, the signal may be received from the second antenna 109 of the electronics module 100 (Figures 2 and 3) using the second communication protocol. The signal may be any signal that indicates to the user electronic device 300 that the electronics module 100 wishes to communicate with an audio output device 700.

Step S302 comprises the user electronic device 300 transmitting audio output device communication information to the electronics module 100. The audio output device communication information is transmitted in response to the user electronic device 300 receiving the signal from the electronics module 100.

Step S303 comprises the user electronic device 300 generating the audio identifier for the user.

Step S304 comprises the user electronic device 300 transmitting the audio identifier to the electronics module 100.

An example use case will now be described. In this example, the electronics module 100 comprises the first antenna 107 and second antenna 109 as described above in relation to Figures 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that this construction of the electronics module 100 is not required in all examples.

In a first example, a secure communication session is established between the electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700. The electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700 in this example may both be associated with the same user. For example, the user may be wearing a wearable article that incorporates the electronics module 100 while also using the audio output device 700. The audio output device 700 may be wireless earbuds that are arranged to be positioned in the ear canal of the user.

The user moves their user electronics device 300 into proximity with the electronics module 100 to allow for information exchange via the first antenna 107 using the first wireless communication protocol. This commences a pairing process for pairing the electronics module 100 to the user electronics device 300.

During the pairing process, the electronics module 100 receives audio output device communication information for the audio output device 700 from the user electronic device 300. This information may be received over the first or second wireless communication protocol. The electronics module 100 can also receive additional information for facilitating the establishment of a secure communication session between the electronics module 100 and the audio output device 700. For example, the electronics module 100 may receive a passkey for the audio output device 700.

The user electronic device 300 obtains the name of the user from the information inputted into the training application running on the user electronic device 300 as explained above. The user electronic device 300 performs a lookup for audio matching that name.

The audio identifier is then compressed using a suitable codec like LC3. The user electronics device 300 sends the compressed audio identifier to the electronics module 100 over the second wireless communication protocol.

The electronics module 100 establishes a secure communication session with the audio output device 700 using the audio output device communication information received from the user electronic device 300.

During a physical activity, the electronics module 100 sends audio signals to the audio output device 700 which are derived from the one or more performance parameters monitored. The audio signals can include the audio identifier so that the audio signals are personalised as described above.

In a second example, the electronics module 100 is arranged to broadcast audio signals. This arrangement may be provided in a group monitoring session where several users are wearing wearable articles incorporating electronics modules 100 and a single user is associated with an audio output device 700. The single user receives the audio signals from the different electronics modules 100 associated with the different users. The single user associated with the audio output device 700 may be a coach or instructor running a group training session. Alternatively, the single user may be an employer who desires to monitor several employees at once or a health care professional who desires to monitor several patients at once.

The individual electronics modules 100 receive audio output device communication information and audio identifiers using the techniques as described above.

In some examples, the intermediary electronic device 300 performs a lookup to determine the audio output device communication information to send to the electronics modules 100. The user associated with the electronics module 100 may also enable whether they wish to allow communication with the particular audio output device 700 via the training application running on the intermediary electronic device 300.

The lookup may be a lookup for the time/date/calendar invite associated with the training session.

The lookup may use location information for the electronics module 100/intermediary electronic device 300 to perform a lookup for the audio output device 700 associated with the nearest coach, instructor, employer or similar.

During the activity, the electronics modules 100 broadcast audio signals which are received by the audio output device 700. The audio output device 700 outputs the audio to the user.

In some group monitoring examples, the electronics modules 100 form a mesh network amongst themselves which allows for the sharing of basic anonymised user data with one another. The mesh network may also allow for audio signals to be queued up so as not to overwhelm the instructor or have multiple audio streams played a top of one another. Based on the number of electronics modules 100, a priority system may put in place.

The mesh network also allows for comparisons amongst the individual users within the group to, for example, identify a user that is struggling more than others during the training session. A single audio signal may then be sent to the audio output device 700 to draw the instructor’s attention to the struggling user. A mesh network is not required in all examples. Other forms of queueing systems may be used if desired.

Figure 14 shows an example mesh network 800 formed by a plurality of electronics modules 100A-100G. In this example, seven electronics modules 100A-100G are shown but more or fewer electronics modules may be included in the mesh network 800. Each of the electronics modules 100A-100G may receive audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronics device 300. In this example, all of the electronics modules 100A-100G receive the audio output device communication information from a common intermediary electronics device 300 in the form of a laptop. In other examples, a plurality of intermediary electronics devices 300 may be provided such as a plurality of user electronics devices 300 each providing audio output device communication information to one of or a group of electronics modules 100A-100G. One or more of the electronics modules 100A- 100G may function as intermediary electronics devices 300 and forward on audio output device communication information to other electronics modules 100A-100G in the mesh network.

The electronics modules 100A-100G communicate with one another in the mesh network 800 to determine how to send audio signals to the audio output device 700.

For example, electronics module 100A may communicate on the mesh network 800 a request to send an audio signal to the audio output device 700, The request is received by the other electronics modules 100B-100G. If the other electronics modules 100B-100G do not need to send audio signals to the audio output device at this time, then the electronics module 100A is able to send the audio signal to the audio output device 700. The other electronics modules 100B-100G may send confirmation signals to the electronics module 100A to indicate that the electronics module 100A is free to send the audio signal. Otherwise, the absence of a signal received by the electronics module 100A from the other electronics modules 100B-100G after a time period, may indicate that the electronics module 100A is free to send the audio signal.

For example, electronics module 100A and 100B may communicate on the mesh network 800 a request to send an audio signal to the audio output device 700. The requests are received by the electronics modules 100A-100G on the mesh network 800. Since both electronics modules 100A and 100B wish to send an audio signal a priority determination is performed to determine which electronics module sends the audio signal to the audio output device 700. The priority determination can use the timestamps of the requests. The electronics module which sent the request with the earliest timestamp is given priority to send the audio signal. The priority determination can use a priority level included in the request. The electronics module which sent the request with the highest priority level is given priority to send the audio signal. If both requests have the same priority level, the electronics module which sent the request with the earliest timestamp is given priority to send the audio signal. A combination of factors can be used in the priority determination. The priority level may be determined by the performance parameters monitored by the electronics modules. If the performance parameters indicate that the user is at risk of fatigue or injury then the request is typically given a higher priority level. In this way, the audio output device is given priority notice of any users that are struggling. The electronics modules 100A-100G may communicate the audio signals directly to the audio output device 700 or may relay the audio signal to the audio output device 700 via the mesh network 800. For example, the audio signal sent from electronics module 100A may be routed through the mesh network 800 to the electronics module closest to the audio output device 700 which may then send the audio signal to the audio output device 700. In this way, audio signals are able to be sent to the audio output device 700 by electronics modules which are out of direct communication range with the audio output device 700. This is particularly advantageous in outdoor activities such as team sports where some users may be distanced from the coach/trainer wearing the audio output device 700.

In some examples, one of the electronics modules 100G in the mesh network 800 is associated with the user wearing the audio output device 700. The electronics module 100G associated with the user wearing the audio output device 700 may be worn by the user wearing the audio output device 700. The electronics module 100G may receive audio signals from the other electronics modules 100A-1 OOF and may send the audio signals to the audio output device 700.

In some examples, a mesh network is not used and the electronics modules 100A-100F each communicate separately with the electronics module 100G. The electronics module 100G receives audio signals from the other electronics modules 100A-100F and provides them to the audio output device 700. The electronics module 100G may prioritise which audio signals to send to the audio output device 700. For example, the electronics module 100G receives requests from one or more of the electronics modules 100A-100F for sending audio signals to the audio output device 700. The electronics module 100G determines which request has the highest priority based on factors such as the timestamps of the requests and priority levels of the request. The electronics module 100G sends to the electronics module 100A-100F with the determined highest priority a confirmation to send the audio signal. The selected electronics module 100A-1 OOF sends the audio signal to the electronics module 100G which then forwards the audio signal to the audio output device 700.

The intermediary electronic device 300 is not required to be a user electronic device 300 associated with the same user as the electronics module 100. The intermediary electronic device 300 may be, for example, a remote server 300. The electronics module 100 may have cellular capabilities as described above and may communicate with the remote server 300 over a cellular network.

Receiving identification information not required in all examples. The electronics module 100 may for example only consider pairing with devices having identifiers that indicate that they are from a certain manufacturer or device type (e.g. headphones). 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

1 . An electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module being arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user, the electronics module comprising a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor, the communicator is arranged to receive audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronics device, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with an audio output device; the processor is arranged to generate an audio signal; and the communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

2. An electronics module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is generated using the monitored one or more performance parameters.

3. An electronics module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio output device communication information comprises identification information for the audio output device, and wherein the communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device identified by the identification information.

4. An electronics module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the processor is arranged to control the electronics module to establish a secure communication session with the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

5. An electronics module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the audio output device communication information comprises a passkey.

6. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communicator is arranged to broadcast the audio signal.

7. An electronics module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the audio output device communication information comprises encryption information, and wherein the processor is arranged to encrypt the audio signal using the encryption information prior to the audio signal being communicated to the audio output device.

8. An electronics module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the communicator is arranged to receive an audio identifier for the user from the intermediary electronics device, and wherein the generated audio signal comprises the received audio identifier.

9. An electronics module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronics module is arranged to removably couple with a wearable article.

10. An electronics module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronics module comprises an interface arranged to removably couple with a sensing component of the wearable article.

11. An electronics module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sensing component comprises an electrode.

12. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the one or more monitored performance parameters are derived at least in part from measurement signals received by the electronics module from the sensing component.

13. An intermediary electronics device arranged to facilitate communication between an electronics module for a wearable article and an audio output device, the intermediary electronics device comprising a processor, a memory, and wireless communicator, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor, the communicator is arranged to receive a signal from the electronics module; in response to receiving the signal, the processor is arranged to trigger the communicator to transmit audio output device communication information to the electronics module, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with the audio output device.

14. An intermediary electronics device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processor is arranged to generate an audio identifier for a user, and control the communicator to transmit the generated audio identifier to the electronics module.

15. An intermediary electronics device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is arranged to compress the generated audio identifier prior to transmission to the electronics module.

16. A system comprising: an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user; an intermediary electronics device arranged to wirelessly communicate with the electronics module; and an audio output device, wherein the intermediary electronics device is arranged to transmit audio output device communication information to the electronics module, the electronics module is arranged to generate an audio signal, the electronics module is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information, and the audio output device is arranged to output the audio signal.

17. A method of facilitating communication between an electronics module for a wearable article, and an audio output device, the electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user, the method comprises: receiving, by the electronics module, audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronics device, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with an audio output device; generating, by the electronics module, an audio signal; and communicating the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

18. An electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module being arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user, the electronics module comprising a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor, the processor is arranged to obtain an audio identifier for the user; the processor is arranged to generate an audio signal using the audio identifier; and the communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to an audio output device.

19. An electronics module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the processor is arranged to generate the audio signal using the monitored one or more performance parameters.

20. An electronics module as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the communicator is arranged to receive the audio identifier from an intermediary electronic device.

21. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the communicator is arranged to broadcast the audio signal.

22. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21 , wherein the communicator is arranged to receive audio output device communication information from an intermediary electronic device, and wherein the communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

23. An electronics module as claimed in claim 22, wherein the audio output device communication information comprises identification information for the audio output device, and wherein the communicator is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device identified by the identification information.

24. An electronics module as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the processor is arranged to control the electronics module to establish a secure communication session with the audio output device using the audio output device communication information.

25. An electronics module as claimed in claim 24, wherein the audio output device communication information comprises a passkey.

26. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the audio output device communication information comprises encryption information, and wherein the processor is arranged to encrypt the audio signal using the encryption information prior to the audio signal being communicated to the audio output device.

27. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 18 to 26, wherein the electronics module is arranged to removably couple with a wearable article.

28. An electronics module as claimed in claim 27, wherein the electronics module comprises an interface arranged to removably couple with a sensing component of the wearable article.

29. An electronics module as claimed in claim 28, wherein the sensing component comprises an electrode.

30. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the one or more monitored performance parameters are derived at least in part from measurement signals received by the electronics module from the sensing component.

31. An intermediary electronics device arranged to facilitate communication between an electronics module for a wearable article and an audio output device, the intermediary electronics device comprising a processor, a memory, and a wireless communicator, the memory storing instructions that are executable by the processor, the communicator is arranged to receive a signal from the electronics module; in response to receiving the signal, the processor is arranged to generate an audio identifier for a user and trigger the communicator to transmit the audio identifier to the electronics module.

32. An intermediary electronics device as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the processor is arranged to compress the generated audio identifier prior to transmission to the electronics module.

33. An intermediary electronics device as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein the processor is arranged to trigger the communicator to transmit audio output device communication information to the electronics module, the audio output device communication information facilitating communication with the audio output device

34. A system comprising: an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user; an intermediary electronics device arranged to wirelessly communicate with the electronics module; and an audio output device, wherein the intermediary electronics device is arranged to transmit an audio identifier for the user to the electronics module, the electronics module is arranged to generate an audio signal using the audio identifier, the electronics module is arranged to communicate the audio signal to the audio output device, and the audio output device is arranged to output the audio signal.

35. A method performed by an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module is arranged to communicate with an audio output device, the electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user, the method comprises: receiving, by the electronics module, an audio identifier for the user; generating, by the electronics module, an audio signal comprising the audio identifier; and communicating the audio signal to the audio output device.

36. An electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module being arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user, the electronics module being arranged to request, via a mesh network, to send an audio signal to an audio output device, the electronics module being arranged to determine based on a response or absence of a response received via the mesh network whether to send the audio signal to the audio output device.

37. An electronics module as claimed in claim 36, wherein the electronics module is arranged to send the audio signal to the audio output device in response to determining to send the audio signal.

38. An electronics module as claimed in claim 37, wherein the electronics module is arranged to send the audio signal directly to the audio output device.

39. An electronics module as claimed in claim 37, wherein the electronics module is arranged to send the audio signal to the audio output device via the mesh network.

40. An electronics module as claimed in any of claims 36 to 39, wherein the request comprises a priority level for the audio signal.

41 . An electronics module as claimed in claim 40, wherein the priority level is determined based on the monitored one or more performance parameters.

42. A method performed by an electronics module for a wearable article, the electronics module is arranged to monitor one or more performance parameters during a physical activity conducted by a user, the method comprising: requesting, via a mesh network, to send an audio signal to an audio output device; and determining based on a response or absence of a response received via the mesh network whether to send the audio signal to the audio output device.

43. A method as claimed in claim 42, further comprising sending the audio signal to the audio output device in response to determining to send the audio signal.

44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the audio signal is sent directly to the audio output device,

45. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the audio signal is sent indirectly via the mesh network.

46. A method as claimed in any of claims 42 to 45, wherein the request comprises a priority level for the audio signal.

47. A method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the priority level is determined based on the monitored one or more performance parameters.

48. A system comprising a plurality of electronics modules as claimed in any of claims 36 to

41 , wherein the plurality of electronics modules form the mesh network.

49. A system as claimed in claim 48, further comprising an intermediary electronics device arranged to send audio output device communication information to one or more of the electronics modules.

50. A system as claimed in claim 49, further comprising the audio output device.