WO2023104498A1

WO2023104498A1 - Handle for mounting on a carrier, and set

Info

Publication number: WO2023104498A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/082718
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anja Pflug; Gonzalo Bailador del Pozo; Serkan Eryilmaz; Hugo Embrechts
Original assignee: Sony Group Corporation; Sony Europe B.V.
Priority date: 2021-12-08
Filing date: 2022-11-22
Publication date: 2023-06-15

Abstract

A handle for mounting on a carrier is provided. The handle includes an elongated holding portion. The holding portion extends lengthwise along a length direction. The holding portion is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user. The holding portion encloses or is adapted to enclose a hollow mounting space for mounting the handle on the carrier. Dimensions of the hollow mounting space perpendicular to the length direction are adjustable to allow the holding portion to fit dimensions of the carrier. Additionally, the handle includes a sensor arranged in or on the holding portion. The sensor is configured to measure a physiological property of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user.

Description

HANDLE FOR MOUNTING ON A CARRIER, AND SET

Field

The present disclosure relates to handles for measuring of physiological properties. In particular, examples relate to a handle for mounting on a carrier, and a set comprising two of the handles.

Background

Many useful physiological features can be extracted from corresponding sensors located on devices targeting the hand area of a user. However, users tend to use a large number of devices for different activities. Integrating corresponding sensors on all or most of the user’s devices is costly and impractical.

Hence, there may be a demand for a device allowing improved measurement of physiological data.

Summary

This demand is met by apparatuses and sets in accordance with the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are addressed by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a handle for mounting on a carrier. The handle comprises an elongated holding portion. The holding portion extends lengthwise along a length direction. The holding portion is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user. The holding portion encloses or is adapted to enclose a hollow mounting space for mounting the handle on the carrier. Dimensions of the hollow mounting space perpendicular to the length direction are adjustable to allow the holding portion to fit dimensions of the carrier. Additionally, the handle comprises a sensor arranged in or on the holding portion. The sensor is configured to measure a physiological property of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user. According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a set comprising a first handle as proposed herein and a second handle as proposed herein. The set further comprises a cable attached to the first handle and the second handle. The cable is detachable from at least one of the first handle and the second handle. Additionally or alternatively, a first cable portion attached to the first handle is detachable from a second cable portion attached to the second handle. The cable is galvanically coupled to the sensor of the first handle in case the cable is attached to the first handle. The cable is galvanically coupled to the sensor of the second handle in case the cable is attached to the second handle.

Brief description of the Figures

Some examples of apparatuses and/or methods will be described in the following by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a handle;

Fig. 2 illustrates a first exemplary set of handles; and

Fig. 3 illustrates a second exemplary set of handles.

Detailed Description

Some examples are now described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures. However, other possible examples are not limited to the features of these embodiments described in detail. Other examples may include modifications of the features as well as equivalents and alternatives to the features. Furthermore, the terminology used herein to describe certain examples should not be restrictive of further possible examples.

Throughout the description of the figures same or similar reference numerals refer to same or similar elements and/or features, which may be identical or implemented in a modified form while providing the same or a similar function. The thickness of lines, layers and/or areas in the figures may also be exaggerated for clarification. When two elements A and B are combined using an “or”, this is to be understood as disclosing all possible combinations, i.e. only A, only B as well as A and B, unless expressly defined otherwise in the individual case. As an alternative wording for the same combinations, "at least one of A and B" or "A and/or B" may be used. This applies equivalently to combinations of more than two elements.

If a singular form, such as “a”, “an” and “the” is used and the use of only a single element is not defined as mandatory either explicitly or implicitly, further examples may also use several elements to implement the same function. If a function is described below as implemented using multiple elements, further examples may implement the same function using a single element or a single processing entity. It is further understood that the terms "include", "including", "comprise" and/or "comprising", when used, describe the presence of the specified features, integers, steps, operations, processes, elements, components and/or a group thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, processes, elements, components and/or a group thereof.

Fig- 1 illustrates a handle 100 for mounting (mountable) on a carrier. The carrier is not illustrated in Fig. 1 for reasons of simplicity.

The handle 100 comprises a holding portion 110, which is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user. In other words, the holding portion 110 is dimensioned and structured such that it can be (conveniently) grasped by the user’s hand. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the holding portion 110 is elongated and extends lengthwise along a length direction x. The holding portion 110 encloses or is adapted to enclose a hollow mounting space 105 for mounting the handle 100 on the carrier. The hollow mounting space 105 is filled by the carrier in a mounting situation, i.e., in case the handle 100 is mounted on the carrier.

Dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x are adjustable to allow the holding portion 110 to fit dimensions of the carrier. In other words, dimensions of an inner surface of the holding portion 110 perpendicular to the length direction x are adjustable to allow the holding portion 110 to fit dimensions of the carrier. The inner surface of the holding portion 110 is a surface of the holding portion 110 facing the carrier when the handle 100 is mounted on the carrier. In the example of Fig. 1, the hollow mounting space 105 exhibits substantially the shape of a right circular cylinder such that the inner surface of the holding portion 110 facing the hollow mounting space 105 is substantially a cylindrical surface. Accordingly, an inner diameter of the holding portion 110 is adjustable to allow the holding portion 110 to fit a diameter of the carrier.

However, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to cylindrical carriers. That is, the hollowing mounting space 105 need not have a circular shape perpendicular to the length direction x. In general, the hollow mounting space 105 may be of any shape. For example, the hollowing mounting space 105 may be of polygonal shape perpendicular to the length direction x, oval shape perpendicular to the length direction x, curved shape perpendicular to the length direction x, etc. Accordingly, an inner surface of the holding portion 110 contacting the hollow mounting space 105 may exhibit substantially a polygonal shape perpendicular to the length direction x, an oval shape perpendicular to the length direction x, a curved shape perpendicular to the length direction x, etc.

According to some examples, the holding portion 110 is formed to permanently enclose the hollowing mounting space 105. In other words, the holding portion 110 may be formed such that it encloses the hollowing mounting space 105 irrespective of whether the handle 100 is mounted on the carrier or not. For example, the holding portion may be formed integrally to enclose the hollowing mounting space 105.

In other examples, the holding portion 110 is formed such that it encloses the hollowing mounting space 105 (e.g. only) when opposite end portions of the holding portion 110 are brought into overlap. In other words, the holding portion 110 may alternatively be adapted to enclose the hollow mounting space 105. For example, a first fastener portion 130-1 and a second fastener portion 130-2 may be arranged at opposite ends (end portions) of the holding portion. The first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 are detachably attachable to each other. The first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 are bringable (may be brought) into overlap by the user. When the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 are brought into overlap, the holding portion 110 encloses the hollowing mounting space 105. The user may attach the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 to each other for fixating the handle 100 on the carrier. In case the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 are not brought into overlap, the holding portion 110 may exhibit another shape (e.g. be flat) and not enclose the hollowing mounting space 105. For example, the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 may be detached from each other for taking off (removing) the handle 100 from the carrier.

An outer surface of the holding portion 110, which is to be grasped by the user’s hand, may be substantially smooth or flat as illustrated in Fig. 1, In other examples, the outer surface of the holding portion 110 may be textured or uneven. In still other examples, the outer surface of the holding portion 110 may in part be smooth or flat and in part be textured or uneven. For example, the outer surface of the holding portion 110 may be shaped ergonomically.

The holding portion 110 may comprise a flexible material. In other words, the holding portion 110 may at least in part be formed of one or more flexible material to enable adjustment of the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x. In some examples, the holding portion 110 may be formed entirely of flexible material. For example, the holding portion 110 may comprise at least one of a textile material, an elastic rubber material, a leather material, a silicone material and an elastomer material. However, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In general, any flexible material or combination of flexible materials may be used. In some examples, part of the holding portion 110 may be formed of rigid, i.e., non-flexible material (e.g. for reinforcement purposes).

The handle 100 additionally comprises a sensor 120 for contacting the hand and/or a hand area of the user. The sensor 120 is configured to measure a physiological property (quantity, characteristic) of the user when the holding portion 110 is grasped by the hand of the user. The sensor 120 is arranged on the holding portion 110 in the example of Fig. 1. Alternatively, the sensor 120 may be arranged in the holding portion 110, or at least partly in the holding portion 110. In other words, the sensor 120 may, at least in part, be embedded in the holding portion 110. The physiological property of the user is a property (quantity, characteristic) describing the physiology of the user. In other words, the physiological property is a property describing one or more function and/or mechanism in the user’s body. For example, the physiological property may be one or more of a hydration status of the user, a stress level of the user, a fitness level of the user, a heart (pulse) rate of the user, a heart rate variability of the user, a motoric status of the user (e.g. for detection of motoric diseases such as tremor detection of loss of grasping strength), etc. According to examples, the physiological property may describe one or more health features of the user. For example, the sensor 120 may be or be configured to perform the functionalities of one or more of a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor, a PhotoPlethysmoGraphy (PPG) sensor, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) sensor, or an ElectroMyoGraphy (EMG) sensor, and a pressure sensor.

A GSR sensor allows to measure the electrical conductance of the user’s skin. Strong emotion can cause stimulus to the sympathetic nervous system of the user, resulting more sweat being secreted by the sweat glands. A GSR sensor allows to spot such strong emotions. Accordingly, the measurement values of the GSR measured by the GSR sensor may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the GSR measured by the GSR sensor may be used to determine a stress level of the user.

A PPG sensor allow to detect blood volume changes in the microvascular bed of the user’s tissue. Similarly, an LDF sensor allows to detect blood volume changes in the microvascular bed of the user’s tissue. Accordingly, the measurement values of the blood volume changes measured by the PPG sensor or the LDF sensor may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the blood volume changes measured by the PPG sensor or the LDF sensor may be used to determine a heart rate of the user, a heart rate variability of the user, a cardiac cycle of the user, a respiration of the user, a blood pressure of the user, an arterial stiffness or a status of the autonomous nervous system of the user (e.g. stress or strong emotions).

An IMU allows to measure various properties such as a specific force of the hand of the user, angular rate of the hand of the user or an orientation of the hand of the user. Accordingly, the measurement values of the one or more property measured by the IMU may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the one or more property measured by the IMU may be used to determine a motion and/or an activity level of the user.

An EMG sensor allows to measure the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. Accordingly, the measurement values of the electrical activity measured by the EMG sensor may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the electrical activity measured by the EMG sensor may be used to determine muscle activities, e.g., check whether the muscle is tense, check the muscle strength, etc. A pressure sensor allows to measure a pressure of a fluid such as air surrounding the user. Accordingly, the measurement values of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor may be used to determine an altitude of user and, hence, be used for determining an efficiency or difficulty of a physical exercise (e.g. running) performed by the user. Further, the values of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor may be used to determine a force applied by the user to the sensor (e.g. a holding pressor or a grasp force). The values of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor may further be used together with the measurement values of the electrical activity measured by the EMG sensor to determine a muscle movement efficiency or similar metrics (quantities). In still other examples, the pressure sensor may be used as control element for various use cases (e.g. for coding sequential commands).

However, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above mentioned sensor types. In general, any sensor capable of measuring a physiological property of the user may be used.

The handle 100 is transferrable between multiple carriers due to the adjustability of the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x. Accordingly, the handle 100 can be transferred by the user between multiple carriers and, hence, be used for different applications. Using the handle 100 for different applications may allow improved integration of the measurement values of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120. For example, the physiological property may be measured in a variety of different situations/contexts of the user. Accordingly, the physiological property may be measured for a longer time during the day compared to individual sensors mounted separately in different devices of the user. Therefore, a more continuous monitoring of the user is possible. Further, as the user is able to use his/her personal handle 100 for different applications, hygiene may be improved - especially when mounted on shared devices. Additionally, the personal handle 100 may provide a high sustainability as is may be used for different applications - there is no need for separate handles/sensors for different applications. For example, the handle 100 may be mounted on corresponding a carrier of a bicycle, a rol- lator (walker), a walking stick (pole), a trekking or hiking stick (pole), a ski stick (pole), a motorcycle, a scooter such as an e-scooter, a steering wheel of a vehicle (e.g. automobile or truck), a stroller, a dumbbell or other fitness tools, a game controller for a video game, etc. Accordingly, while using one or more of the foregoing devices, the physiological property of the user may be measured by the sensor 120 of the handle 100. For example, older people or people with conditions may be monitored by using the handle 100 during various activities. Similarly, the handle 100 may allow facilitated product testing as the handle 100 may be mounted to different versions or prototypes of a product such as a steering wheel for monitoring the physiological property of the user while testing/using the respective version or prototype of the product.

The data of the sensor 120 may be evaluated (interpreted) either internally at the handle 100 or externally, i.e., by circuitry not part of the handle 100.

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the handle 100 may optionally further comprise processing circuitry 140 coupled to the sensor 120. For example, the processing circuitry 140 may be a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or a plurality of individual processors, some of which or all of which may be shared, an application processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) hardware, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a neu- romorphic processor or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The processing circuitry 140 may optionally be coupled to, e.g., Read Only Memory (ROM) for storing software and/or Random Access Memory (RAM). The processing circuitry 140 is configured to determine a physiological state of the user based on one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120. The physiological state of the user describes a mode or condition of the user’s physiology. In other words, the physiological state of the user describes a mode or condition or one or more function and/or mechanism in the user’s body. For example, the processing circuitry 140 may be configured to determine one or more of the above mentioned physiological states based on the one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120. The physiological state of the user may, e.g., describe a stress level, a fitness level, a hydration level or a bodycomposition of the user.

The processing circuitry 140 may, e.g., determine the physiological state of the user using an algorithm or a model taking the one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120 as input. The algorithm or model may, e.g., repre- sent/be a physiological model for determining the physiological state of the user. The algo- rithm or model may be a static predefined algorithm or model in some examples. In other examples, the processing of the one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120 may be adapted to the user. In other words, the algorithm or model may be adapted to the user. For example, the algorithm or model may be personalized based on one or more user input of the user (e.g. for indicating user related information such as sex, height, weight, age, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the algorithm or model may be trained (e.g. during a training phase) to specifically adapt the algorithm or model to the user. For example, the algorithm or model may be trained based on historical data of the sensor 120 or specific training data using a training method such as supervised learning, semi-supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning or feature learning. Accordingly, the physiological state of the user may be determined in a personalized manner based on the based on the one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120.

Further optionally, the handle 100 may comprise wireless communication circuitry 150 coupled to the sensor 120 and/or the processing circuitry 140. The wireless communication circuity 150 may, e.g., be formed in or on the holding portion 110. The wireless communication circuitry 150 is configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating the physiological state or an information derived therefrom to an external device (not illustrated in Fig. 1) such as user equipment or a server (e.g. a server of a cloud computing system). For example, the wireless communication circuitry 150 may cause one or more antenna of the handle 100 to radiate radio waves modulated with the data indicating the physiological state or the information derived therefrom. The user equipment may, e.g., be a mobile device such as a mobile phone (smartphone), a tablet-computer, a laptop-computer or a wearable device like a smart watch, smart glasses, etc. In still other examples, the user equipment may be a stationary device such as personal computer. The wireless communication circuitry 150 may, e.g., be configured to operate according to one of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-standardized mobile/wireless communication networks or systems such as a 5^th Generation New Radio (5G NR) network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network or an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network. Alternatively or additionally, the wireless communication circuitry 150 may be configured to operate according to mobile/wireless communication networks with different standards, for example, a Worldwide Inter-operability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) network according to the standard IEEE 802.16 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) according to the standard IEEE 802.11 of the IEEE, a Near-Field Communication (NFC) network, a Bluetooth network according to one of the standards of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) or an Ultra-Wi deBand (UWB) network, generally an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wideband-CDMA (WCDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, a Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) network, etc.

The external device may take the determined physiological state or the information derived therefrom as input and perform, e.g., one or more interactions with the user such as outputting corresponding information, a warning or an advice to the user. Similarly, the external device may take the determined physiological state or the information derived therefrom as input and inform one or more third party (e.g. a caretaker of the user) based on the determined physiological state or the information derived therefrom.

Similarly, the handle 100 itself may comprise one or more output means such as one or more display, one or more light source and/or one or more loudspeaker for outputting information, a warning or an advice to the user in response to (based on) the determined physiological state or the information derived therefrom. Alternatively, the wireless communication circuitry 150 may be configured to transmit wirelessly transmit data to one or more external output means for controlling the one or more external output means to output the information, the warning or the advice to the user in response to (based on) the determined physiological state or the information derived therefrom.

However, as described above, the one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120 need not be evaluated (interpreted) internally at the handle 100. In some example, the one or more measurement value may be transferred to an external device for further analysis. Accordingly, the wireless communication circuitry 150 may alternatively be configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating the one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor 120 to the external device. The above described determination of the physiological state of the user may be performed by the external device based on the one or more measurement value of the physiological property received from the wireless communication circuitry 150 of the handle 100. In some examples, the sensor 120 may exhibit a contact portion for contacting the user’s hand. For example, the sensor 120 may be arranged such in or on the holding portion 110 that the contact portion of the sensor 120 directly contacts (can directly contact) the user’s hand when the holding portion 110 is grasped by the hand of the user. The contact portion of the sensor 120 may, e.g., be a metallic structure (e.g. a surface) such that a galvanic coupling (i.e. an electrically conductive connection) between measurement circuitry of the sensor 120 and the user’s hand may be formed. For example, if the sensor 120 is configured to perform the functionalities of a GSR sensor, the sensor 120 may comprise a metallic contact portion for measuring the electrical conductance of the skin of the user’s hand. In other examples, the contact portion of the sensor 120 may, e.g., be a structure for coupling light into the user’s hand and receiving reflections of the light from the user’s hand. For example, if the sensor 120 is configured to perform the functionalities of an LDF sensor, the sensor 120 may comprise a corresponding contact portion for outputting and receiving optical signals to/from the user’s hand.

In some examples, the handle 100 may optionally further comprise a metallic contact portion (surface) 170 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The metallic contact portion 170 is arranged in or on the holding portion 110. For example, the metallic contact portion 170 may be formed on or form (be part of) the outer surface of the holding portion 110, which is to be grasped by the user’s hand. The metallic contact portion 170 is adapted to contact the hand of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user. The metallic contact portion 170 is galvanically coupled to the sensor 120. The metallic contact portion 170 may allow to form a galvanic coupling (i.e. an electrically conductive connection) between the sensor 120 (e.g. measurement circuitry of the sensor 120) and the user’s hand. For example, if the sensor 120 is configured to perform the functionalities of a GSR sensor, the sensor 120 may be coupled to the metallic contact portion 170 for coupling to the user’s hand and measuring the electrical conductance of the skin of the user’s hand.

As described above, the handle 100 may comprise a metallic contact portion being part of the sensor 120 and/or a separate metallic contact portion 170 galvanically coupled to the sensor 120.

Optionally, the handle 100 may further comprises at least one other/further sensor 160. Like the sensor 120, the other sensor 160 is arranged in or on the holding portion 100. The other sensor 160 is configured to measure an ambient condition in an ambience of the handle 100. For example, the ambient condition in the ambience of the handle 100 may be at least one of a temperature, an air pressure, and a light condition in the ambience of the handle 100. Accordingly, the other sensor 160 may be or be configured to, e.g., perform the functionalities of one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and an optical sensor. The measurement values of the ambient condition measured by the other sensor 160 may, e.g., be used for the determination of the physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the ambient condition measured by the other sensor 160 may be used to compensate for ambient effects when determining the physiological state of the user. The processing circuitry 140 and/or the external device may accordingly be configured to determinate the physiological state of the user further based on one or more measurement value of the ambient condition measured by the other sensor 160.

Further optionally, the handle 100 may comprise at least one button 180 arranged in or on the holding portion 110. The button 180 may be used for controlling one or more external device. For example, the wireless communication circuitry 150 may be configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating a command to an external device if the button is pressed (e.g. according via a Bluetooth connect! on/network). The external device may, e.g., be headphones or an entertainment system of a vehicle such that the button 180 may be used to control audio settings (e.g. volume) of the head-phones or the entertainment system. The function of the button 180 may be fixedly predefined. In other examples, the function of the button 180 may be adjustable by a user. For example, the user may select the function of the button in an application running on a first external device such as a mobile phone of the user, which is communicatively coupled to the wireless communication circuitry 150. The wireless communication circuitry 150 may subsequently receive corresponding configuration data from the first external device and be configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating a command for executing the selected function to a second external device if the button 180 is pressed.

As described above, the holding portion 110 is formed such that the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x are adjustable. For adjusting the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x, the holding portion comprises the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2. The dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x are adjustable by varying a positioning of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 with respect to each other. For example, the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x may be adjusted by varying an overlap of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2. The first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 may be attached to each other for fixating the handle 100 on the carrier. Similarly, the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 may be detached from each other for adjusting the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x and/or for taking off (removing) the handle 100 from the carrier.

The fastener portions 130-1 and 130-2 may be formed (implemented) in numerous ways for enabling the above described functionality. In the following, some exemplary embodiments of the fastener portions 130-1 and 130-2 will be described. However, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In general, any pair of fastener portions providing the above described functionality may be used.

For example, the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 may form a hook-and-loop fastener. One of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 features (comprises) tiny hooks, whereas the other one of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 features (comprises) smaller loops. When the two are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and the two fastener portions 130-1 and 130-2 fasten or bind temporarily. By pulling or peeling the two fastener portions 130-1 and 130-2 apart, the fastener portions 130-1 and 130-2 may be detached from each other. The dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x may be adjusted by varying an overlap of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 before pressing them together.

In other examples, the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 may form a zip fastener. For example, the first fastener 130-1 may comprise at least one first row of protruding teeth, whereas the second fastener 130-2 may comprise two or more second rows of protruding teeth. The at least one first row of protruding teeth as well as the two or more second rows of protruding teeth extend substantially along the length direction x. The two or more second rows of protruding teeth are spaced apart from each other along a spatial direction perpendicular to the length direction x. In other words, the two or more second rows of protruding teeth are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the holding portion 110. One of the first fastener 130-1 and the second fastener 130-2 comprises a slider configured to interdigitate the at least one first row of protruding teeth with one of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth when being moved relative to the at least one first row of protruding teeth and the one of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth. Accordingly, by interdigitating the first row of protruding teeth formed at the first fastener portion 130-1 with different ones of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth formed at the second fastener 130-2, the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x may be adjusted.

In still other examples, the first fastener portion 130-1 comprises a plurality of grommets, whereas the second fastener portion 130-2 comprises a plurality of hooks attachable to the plurality of grommets. For example, the plurality of grommets may be arranged in two or more lines extending substantially along the length direction x. The two or more lines of grommets are spaced apart from each other along a spatial direction perpendicular to the length direction x. In other words, the two or more lines of grommets are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the holding portion 110. Accordingly, by attaching the plurality of hooks to different ones of the two or more lines of grommets, the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x may be adjusted.

In alternative examples, the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130- 2 form a side release buckle. For example, one of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 comprises the “male” buckle member (also called “hook end”), whereas the other one of the first fastener portion 130-1 and the second fastener portion 130-2 comprises the “female” buckle member (also called “insertion end”). The positioning of one or both of the “male” buckle member and the “female” buckle member may be adjustable. For example, a length of a respective strap connecting the “male” buckle member and the “female” buckle member to holding portion 110 may be adjustable. Accordingly, by adjusting the positioning of one or both of the “male” buckle member and the “female” buckle member with respect to the holding portion 110, the dimensions of the hollow mounting space 105 perpendicular to the length direction x may be adjusted. The “male” buckle member is inserted into the “female” buckle member for fixing the handle 100 to the carrier. By releasing the “male” buckle member from the “female” buckle member, the fastener portions 130-1 and 130-2 may be detached from each other.

Fig- 2 illustrates a set of handles 200. The set 200 comprises a first handle 210 according to the present disclosure. Further, the set 200 comprises a second handle 220 according to the present disclosure.

The first handle 210 comprises an elongated holding portion 211 and a sensor 212 for measuring a physiological property of the user as described above. Analogously, the second handle 220 comprises an elongated holding portion 221 and a sensor 222 for measuring a physiological property of the user as described above. Further details of the handles 210 and 220 are described above with reference to Fig. 1.

A cable 230 is attached to the first handle 210 and the second handle 220. The cable 230 may be detachable from at least one of the first handle 210 and the second handle 220. For example, the cable 230 may be detachable from only one of the first handle 210 and the second handle 220 is some examples. In other examples, the cable 230 may be detachable from both the first handle 210 and the second handle 220. In other examples, the cable cannot be detached from any of the first handle 210 and the second handle 220. The cable 230 is electrically conductive. Further, the cable 230 is galvanically coupled to the sensor 212 of the first handle 210 in case the cable 230 is attached to the first handle 210. Similarly, the cable 230 is galvanically coupled to the sensor 222 of the second handle 220 in case the cable 230 is attached to the second handle 220. In other words, an electrically conductive connection between the cable 230 and each of the sensor 212 of the first handle 210 and the sensor 222 of the second handle 220 is formed in case the cable 230 is attached to the first handle 210 and the second handle 220. For example, the cable 230 may be a spiral cable, i.e., a twisted cable, which can be expanded in length by its special winding. Accordingly, the cable 230 may enable various different distances between the two handles 210 and 220. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In general, any electrically conductive cable may be used.

For galvanically coupling the sensor 212 of the first handle 210 to the cable 230, one or more electrically conductive path may be formed in the first handle 210 between the sensor 212 and a portion of the first handle 210 contacting (attached) to the cable 230. Analogous- ly, for galvanically coupling the sensor 222 of the second handle 220 to the cable 230, one or more electrically conductive path may be formed in the second handle 220 between the sensor 222 and a portion of the second handle 220 contacting (attached) to the cable 230.

The cable 230 may be detachably attached to the first handle 210 (and analogously to the second handle 220), e.g., via a carabiner, a magnet or a clip configured to selectively fasten an end portion of the cable 230.

Galvanically coupling the sensors 212 and 222 of the two handles 210 and 220 may allow to extend measurement functionalities as a closed loop over the user’s body may be formed when the holding portions 211 and 221 are simultaneously grasped by the two hands of the user (i.e. one hand of the user grasps the holding portion 211, whereas the other hand of the user grasps the holding portion 221).

For example, the sensor 212 of the first handle 210 and the sensor 222 of the second handle 220 are configured to perform the functionalities of an ElectroCardioGraphy (ECG) sensor or a bioimpedance sensor.

An ECG sensor allows to measure electrical signals generated by the heart of the user. The electrical signals generated by the heart of the user allow understand the level of physiological arousal that the user experiencing, but it can also be used to better understand the user’s psychological state. Accordingly, the measurement values of the ECG measured by the sensors 212 and 222 acting as ECG sensor may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the ECG measured by the sensors 212 and 222 acting as ECG sensor may be used to determine a health status of the user (e.g. a health status or a disease of the user’s heart) or the physiological arousal or stress level that the user is experiencing.

A bioimpedance sensor allows to measure an impedance of the user’s body for electricity. The impedance of the user’s body varies with the body composition of the user, i.e., the body fat and the muscle mass of the user. Similarly, the impedance of the user’s body varies with the hydration status of the user. Accordingly, the measurement values of the impedance measured by the sensors 212 and 222 acting as bioimpedance sensor may be used for determining a physiological state of the user. For example, the measurement values of the im- pedance measured by the sensors 212 and 222 acting as bioimpedance sensor may be used to determine the body composition of the user or the hydration status of the user.

A variation of the set 200 is illustrated in Fig. 3, which illustrates another set of handles 300. In comparison to the set 200, the cable for coupling the two handles 210 and 220 is modified.

The cable 330 of the set 300 comprises a first cable portion 331 attached to the first handle 210. Further, the cable 330 comprises a second cable portion 334 attached to the second handle 220. The attachment of the cable portions 331 and 332 to the respective one of the handles 210 and 220 is as described above with respect to Fig. 2. That is, the first cable portion 331 may either be fixedly or detachably attached to the first handle 210. Similarly, the second cable portion 332 may either be fixedly or detachably attached to the second handle 220. The cable portions 331 and 332 are electrically conductive.

A first fastener (fastening means) 332 is attached to an end portion of the first cable portion 331, the other end portion of the first cable portion 331 is (fixedly or detachably) attached to the first handle 210. A second fastener (fastening means) 333 is attached to an end portion of the second cable portion 334, the other end portion of the second cable portion 334 is (fixedly or detachably) attached to the second handle 220. The first fastener 332 and the second fastener 333 allow to detachably attach the first cable portion 331 and the second cable portion 334 to each other. When the first cable portion 331 and the second cable portion 334 are attached to each other via the fasteners 332 and 333, the first cable portion 331 and the second cable portion 334 are galvanically coupled to each other. In other words, an electrically conductive connection is formed between the first cable portion 331 and the second cable portion 334 via the fasteners 332 and 333. For example, the fasteners 332 and

333 may be two magnets, two clips or a pair of a carabiner and a grommet.

The fasteners 332 and 333 allow to further extend the usability of the set 300 compared to the set 200. The first cable portion 331 and the second cable portion 334 may be directly coupled to each other via the fasteners 332 and 333 as illustrated in Fig. 3. In addition, an electrically conductive extension wire or any other electrically conductive element (device, structure) may be coupled between the first cable portion 331 and the second cable portion

334 via the fasteners 332 and 333. Accordingly, a distance between the two handles 210 and 220 may be further extended and allow usage of the handles 210 and 220 for further applications.

As described above, one or more handle according to the present disclosure may be used for various use cases. For example, one handle or a set of handles according to the present disclosure may, e.g., be used to measure a hydration status and/or a stress level (or any other kind of health feature) during long drives for increasing driver security, or for elderly people when walking with a rollator to remind them to drink. In other examples, one handle or a set of handles according to the present disclosure may be used to understand the physical fitness of the user in different sports such as biking, Nordic walking, paddling, etc. In still other examples, one handle or a set of handles according to the present disclosure may be used to monitor the hear functions of the user and, e.g., detect heart diseases early. A set of handles may, e.g., be used for controlling eating habits of the user when operating the sensors as bioimpedance sensors.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments:

(1) A handle for mounting on a carrier, comprising: an elongated holding portion, wherein the holding portion extends lengthwise along a length direction, wherein the holding portion is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user, wherein the holding portion encloses or is adapted to enclose a hollow mounting space for mounting the handle on the carrier, and wherein dimensions of the hollow mounting space perpendicular to the length direction are adjustable to allow the holding portion to fit dimensions of the carrier; and a sensor arranged in or on the holding portion, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a physiological property of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user.

(2) The handle of (1), wherein the holding portion comprises a flexible material.

(3) The handle of (1) or (2), wherein the holding portion comprises at least one of a textile material, an elastic rubber material, a leather material, a silicone material and an elastomer material. (4) The handle of any one of (1) to (3), wherein the holding portion comprises a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are detachably attachable to each other, and wherein the dimensions of the hollow mounting space perpendicular to the length direction are adjustable by varying a positioning of the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion with respect to each other.

(5) The handle of (4), wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion form a hook-and-loop fastener.

(6) The handle of (4), wherein the first fastener comprises at least one first row of protruding teeth, wherein the second fastener comprises two or more second rows of protruding teeth, and wherein one of the first fastener and the second fastener comprises a slider configured to interdigitate the at least one first row of protruding teeth with one of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth when being moved relative to the at least one first row of protruding teeth and the one of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth.

(7) The handle of (4), wherein the first fastener portion comprises a plurality of grommets, and wherein the second fastener portion comprises a plurality of hooks attachable to the plurality of grommets.

(8) The handle of (4), wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion form a side release buckle.

(9) The handle of any one of (1) to (8), wherein the sensor is configured to perform the functionalities of one or more of a galvanic skin response sensor, a photoplethysmography sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a laser Doppler flowmetry sensor, an electromyography sensor, and a pressure sensor.

(10) The handle of any one of (1) to (9), further comprising processing circuitry configured to determine a physiological state of the user based on one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor. (11) The handle of (10), further comprising wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating the physiological state or an information derived therefrom to an external device.

(12) The handle of any one of (1) to (9), further comprising wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor to an external device.

(13) The handle of any one of (1) to (12), further comprising another sensor arranged in or on the holding portion, wherein the other sensor is configured to measure an ambient condition in an ambience of the handle.

(14) The handle of (13), wherein the ambient condition in the ambience of the handle is at least one of a temperature, an air pressure, and a light condition in the ambience of the handle.

(15) The handle of any one of (1) to (14), further comprising a metallic contact portion arranged in or on the holding portion, wherein the metallic contact portion is adapted to contact the hand of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user, and wherein the metallic contact portion is part of the sensor or galvanically coupled to the sensor.

(16) The handle of any one of (1) to (15), further comprising: a button arranged in or on the holding portion; and wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating a command to an external device if the button is pressed.

(17) A set comprising: a first handle according to any one of (1) to (16); a second handle according to any one of (1) to (16); and a cable attached to the first handle and the second handle, wherein the cable is detachable from at least one of the first handle and the second handle and/or a first cable portion attached to the first handle is detachable from a second cable portion attached to the second handle, wherein the cable is galvanically coupled to the sensor of the first handle in case the cable is attached to the first handle, and wherein the cable is galvanically coupled to the sensor of the second handle in case the cable is attached to the second handle.

(18) The set of (17), wherein the sensor of the first handle and the sensor of the second handle are configured to perform the functionalities of an electrocardiography sensor.

(19) The set of (17), wherein the sensor of the first handle and the sensor of the second handle are configured to perform the functionalities of a bioimpedance sensor.

(20) The set of any one of (17) to (19), wherein the cable is detachably attached to the first handle via a carabiner, a magnet or a clip configured to selectively fasten an end portion of the cable.

The aspects and features described in relation to a particular one of the previous examples may also be combined with one or more of the further examples to replace an identical or similar feature of that further example or to additionally introduce the features into the further example.

It is further understood that the disclosure of several steps, processes, operations or functions disclosed in the description or claims shall not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily dependent on the order described, unless explicitly stated in the individual case or necessary for technical reasons. Therefore, the previous description does not limit the execution of several steps or functions to a certain order. Furthermore, in further examples, a single step, function, process or operation may include and/or be broken up into several sub-steps, -functions, -processes or -operations.

If some aspects have been described in relation to a device or system, these aspects should also be understood as a description of the corresponding method. For example, a block, device or functional aspect of the device or system may correspond to a feature, such as a method step, of the corresponding method. Accordingly, aspects described in relation to a method shall also be understood as a description of a corresponding block, a corresponding element, a property or a functional feature of a corresponding device or a corresponding system. The following claims are hereby incorporated in the detailed description, wherein each claim may stand on its own as a separate example. It should also be noted that although in the claims a dependent claim refers to a particular combination with one or more other claims, other examples may also include a combination of the dependent claim with the sub- ject matter of any other dependent or independent claim. Such combinations are hereby explicitly proposed, unless it is stated in the individual case that a particular combination is not intended. Furthermore, features of a claim should also be included for any other independent claim, even if that claim is not directly defined as dependent on that other independent claim.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A handle for mounting on a carrier, comprising: an elongated holding portion, wherein the holding portion extends lengthwise along a length direction, wherein the holding portion is adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user, wherein the holding portion encloses or is adapted to enclose a hollow mounting space for mounting the handle on the carrier, and wherein dimensions of the hollow mounting space perpendicular to the length direction are adjustable to allow the holding portion to fit dimensions of the carrier; and a sensor arranged in or on the holding portion, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a physiological property of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user.

2. The handle of claim 1, wherein the holding portion comprises a flexible material.

3. The handle of claim 1, wherein the holding portion comprises at least one of a textile material, an elastic rubber material, a leather material, a silicone material and an elastomer material.

4. The handle of claim 1, wherein the holding portion comprises a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are detachably attachable to each other, and wherein the dimensions of the hollow mounting space perpendicular to the length direction are adjustable by varying a positioning of the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion with respect to each other.

5. The handle of claim 4, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion form a hook-and-loop fastener.

6. The handle of claim 4, wherein the first fastener comprises at least one first row of protruding teeth, wherein the second fastener comprises two or more second rows of protruding teeth, and wherein one of the first fastener and the second fastener comprises a slider configured to interdigitate the at least one first row of protruding teeth with one of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth when being moved relative to the at least one first row of protruding teeth and the one of the two or more second rows of protruding teeth.

7. The handle of claim 4, wherein the first fastener portion comprises a plurality of grommets, and wherein the second fastener portion comprises a plurality of hooks attachable to the plurality of grommets.

8. The handle of claim 4, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion form a side release buckle.

9. The handle of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to perform the functionalities of one or more of a galvanic skin response sensor, a photoplethysmography sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a laser Doppler flowmetry sensor, an electromyography sensor, and a pressure sensor.

10. The handle of claim 1, further comprising processing circuitry configured to determine a physiological state of the user based on one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor.

11. The handle of claim 10, further comprising wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating the physiological state or an information derived therefrom to an external device.

12. The handle of claim 1, further comprising wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating one or more measurement value of the physiological property measured by the sensor to an external device.

13. The handle of claim 1, further comprising another sensor arranged in or on the holding portion, wherein the other sensor is configured to measure an ambient condition in an ambience of the handle.

14. The handle of claim 13, wherein the ambient condition in the ambience of the handle is at least one of a temperature, an air pressure, and a light condition in the ambience of the handle.

15. The handle of claim 1, further comprising a metallic contact portion arranged in or on the holding portion, wherein the metallic contact portion is adapted to contact the hand of the user when the holding portion is grasped by the hand of the user, and wherein the metallic contact portion is part of the sensor or galvanically coupled to the sensor.

16. The handle of claim 1, further comprising: a button arranged in or on the holding portion; and wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit data indicating a command to an external device if the button is pressed.

17. A set comprising: a first handle according to claim 1; a second handle according to claim 1; and a cable attached to the first handle and the second handle, wherein the cable is detachable from at least one of the first handle and the second handle and/or a first cable portion attached to the first handle is detachable from a second cable portion attached to the second handle, wherein the cable is galvanically coupled to the sensor of the first handle in case the cable is attached to the first handle, and wherein the cable is galvanically coupled to the sensor of the second handle in case the cable is attached to the second handle.

18. The set of claim 17, wherein the sensor of the first handle and the sensor of the second handle are configured to perform the functionalities of an electrocardiography sensor.

19. The set of claim 17, wherein the sensor of the first handle and the sensor of the second handle are configured to perform the functionalities of a bioimpedance sensor.

20. The set of claim 17, wherein the cable is detachably attached to the first handle via a carabiner, a magnet or a clip configured to selectively fasten an end portion of the cable.