Abstract: A textile-based hydrogel electrode comprises a textile-based backing layer, a conductive structure coupled to the textile-based backing layer, and a hydrogel body in contact with at least a first portion of the conductive structure, wherein the first portion of the conductive structure and the hydrogel body form an ionic interface configured to generate an electrical signal through the conductive structure corresponding to a biopotential change proximate to the textile-based hydrogel electrode.

Abstract: A plush toy system comprises a plush toy body with an outer fabric layer, wherein the outer fabric layer forms an interactive surface engageable by a user, an array of textile-based pressure sensors coupled to the plush toy body proximate to the outer fabric layer, and sensor conditioning circuits coupled to the plush toy, the sensor conditioning circuits being configured to interpret signals from the textile-based pressure sensors to identify interaction between the user and the interactive surface.

Abstract: A garment system comprises a garment substrate formed from one or more textile-based sheets, a distributed array of a plurality of resistive pressure sensors coupled to the garment substrate at a set of first specified locations. Each of the plurality of resistive sensors comprises a pair of first textile-based outer layers each having an electrical resistance of no more than 100 ohms and a textile-based inner layer sandwiched between the pair of first textile-based outer layers having an electrical resistance of at least 1 mega-ohm. The system also includes electronics configured to process signals from the distributed array of resistive pressure sensors to determine one or more physiological properties of a wearer of the garment substrate.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for proportionally balancing power during wireless communication are provided. The disclosures provide for an integrated radio in which the functionality of an active radio and a passive radio are integrated into a single radio, with the active and passive radios each being configured to operate in three different modes: active, passive, and backscatter. Based on power and communication link information, the integrated rode is able to balance the modes at which the two radios are operated, thereby optimizing power consumption of the device into which the integrated radio is incorporated. The resulting systems, devices, and methods lead to ultra-low power consumption that enables these communication techniques to enhance computing devices from smartwatches to laptops. Devices incorporating the integrated radios, and methods for power-proportionally exchanging data, among other systems, devices, and methods, are also provided.

Abstract: A garment system comprises a garment substrate formed from one or more textile-based sheets, a distributed array of a plurality of resistive pressure sensors coupled to the garment substrate at a set of first specified locations. Each of the plurality of resistive sensors comprises a pair of first textile-based outer layers each having an electrical resistance of no more than 100 ohms and a textile-based inner layer sandwiched between the pair of first textile-based outer layers having an electrical resistance of at least 1 mega-ohm. The system also includes electronics configured to process signals from the distributed array of resistive pressure sensors to determine one or more physiological properties of a wearer of the garment substrate.

Abstract: A garment system comprises a garment substrate formed from one or more textile-based sheets, a distributed array of a plurality of resistive pressure sensors coupled to the garment substrate at a set of first specified locations. Each of the plurality of resistive sensors comprises a pair of first textile-based outer layers each having an electrical resistance of no more than 100 ohms and a textile-based inner layer sandwiched between the pair of first textile-based outer layers having an electrical resistance of at least 1 mega-ohm. The system also includes electronics configured to process signals from the distributed array of resistive pressure sensors to determine one or more physiological properties of a wearer of the garment substrate.

Abstract: Behavioral intervention improves the efficacy of treatments designed to encourage healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, adherence to food regimen after surgeries, and avoiding overeating. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a health monitoring system that leverages wearable sensors, mobile devices (e.g. smartphones), and computer-based servers to monitor the health of a user and provide intervention at opportune moments to encourage healthy behavior. This system provides a scalable and cost-efficient way for health care providers to monitor the behavior of many users and encourage healthy behavior as appropriate.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to detection of an opportune time period to deliver a notification. Responsive to receipt of the notification (e.g., at a user device), analysis of an attention state of a user can be initialized. Further, the opportune time period to deliver the notification can be detected based on the analysis of the attention state of the user. The opportune time period can be during a breakpoint or an influential context. The breakpoint is when the user has switched between tasks and lacks engagement with the tasks. The influential context is a particular context in which the user is available to attend to the notification. Moreover, the notification can be delivered during the opportune time period.

Abstract: A textile-based hydrogel electrode comprises a textile-based backing layer, a conductive structure coupled to the textile-based backing layer, and a hydrogel body in contact with at least a first portion of the conductive structure, wherein the first portion of the conductive structure and the hydrogel body form an ionic interface configured to generate an electrical signal through the conductive structure corresponding to a biopotential change proximate to the textile-based hydrogel electrode.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a low power wrist-worn RFID reader capable of reading RFID tags within the area of a localized personal body network. The wrist-worn reader provides a means for tracking how a user interacts with their environment. The wrist-worn reader may distinguish between tagged objects within the range of the reader and objects held by the user. The reader may also distinguish when a tagged object has been picked up and when it has been released.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communication are provided. The systems and methods employ a backscatter tag that is configured to shift an incident carrier signal received by the tag to a different frequency band and then transmitting the frequency-shifted carrier signal to a receiver. The frequency band to which the carrier signal is shifted is a band in which interference is minimal or non-existent. Further, the backscatter tag is able to operate in an ultra-low power manner, thereby allowing the tag to be incorporated into components like on-body sensors so that the tag can embed additional information into the carrier signal for transmission and processing by the receiver. Exemplary electronic circuits and systems that utilize a frequency-shifted Backscatter, as well as methods for implementing a frequency-shifted Backscatter, are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backscatter communications are provided that employ a backscatter reader to transmit a carrier signal to multiple backscatter tags having heterogeneous hardware and specifications. In response to receiving the carrier, the tags encode data into the received signal and, concurrently, transmit their respective backscattered signal to the reader. The concurrent signals are received by the reader as a combined signal. The reader detects edges in the received signal, based on the corresponding in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals. The edges are then assigned to streams based on the offset or transmission rate of the tags. In some cases, the reader can detect edge collisions. These collisions can be resolved by causing the colliding signals to be retransmitted or by separating the colliding signals. The individual streams corresponding to each of the tags can then be decoded to identify the originally transmitted data from each tag.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for proportionally balancing power during wireless communication are provided. The disclosures provide for an integrated radio in which the functionality of an active radio and a passive radio are integrated into a single radio, with the active and passive radios each being configured to operate in three different modes: active, passive, and backscatter. Based on power and communication link information, the integrated rode is able to balance the modes at which the two radios are operated, thereby optimizing power consumption of the device into which the integrated radio is incorporated. The resulting systems, devices, and methods lead to ultra-low power consumption that enables these communication techniques to enhance computing devices from smartwatches to laptops. Devices incorporating the integrated radios, and methods for power-proportionally exchanging data, among other systems, devices, and methods, are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for a low power wrist-worn RFID reader capable of reading RFID tags within the area of a localized personal body network. The wrist-worn reader provides a means for tracking how a user interacts with their environment. The wrist-worn reader may distinguish between tagged objects within the range of the reader and objects held by the user. The reader may also distinguish when a tagged object has been picked up and when it has been released.

Abstract: An improved eye tracker system and methods for detecting eye parameters including eye movement using a pupil center, pupil diameter (i.e., dilation), blink duration, and blink frequency, which may be used to determine a variety of physiological and psychological conditions. The eye tracker system and methods operates at a ten-fold reduction in power usage as compared to current system and methods. Furthermore, eye tracker system and methods allows for a more optimal use in variable light situations such as in the outdoors and does not require active calibration by the user.

Abstract: Behavioral intervention improves the efficacy of treatments designed to encourage healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, adherence to food regimen after surgeries, and avoiding overeating. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a health monitoring system that leverages wearable sensors, mobile devices (e.g. smartphones), and computer-based servers to monitor the health of a user and provide intervention at opportune moments to encourage healthy behavior. This system provides a scalable and cost-efficient way for health care providers to monitor the behavior of many users and encourage healthy behavior as appropriate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backscatter communications are provided that employ a backscatter reader to transmit a carrier signal to multiple backscatter tags having heterogeneous hardware and specifications. In response to receiving the carrier, the tags encode data into the received signal and, concurrently, transmit their respective backscattered signal to the reader. The concurrent signals are received by the reader as a combined signal. The reader detects edges in the received signal, based on the corresponding in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals. The edges are then assigned to streams based on the offset or transmission rate of the tags. In some cases, the reader can detect edge collisions. These collisions can be resolved by causing the colliding signals to be retransmitted or by separating the colliding signals. The individual streams corresponding to each of the tags can then be decoded to identify the originally transmitted data from each tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communication are provided. The systems and methods employ a backscatter tag that is configured to shift an incident carrier signal received by the tag to a different frequency band and then transmitting the frequency-shifted carrier signal to a receiver. The frequency band to which the carrier signal is shifted is a band in which interference is minimal or non-existent. Further, the backscatter tag is able to operate in an ultra-low power manner, thereby allowing the tag to be incorporated into components like on-body sensors so that the tag can embed additional information into the carrier signal for transmission and processing by the receiver. Exemplary electronic circuits and systems that utilize a frequency-shifted Backscatter, as well as methods for implementing a frequency-shifted Backscatter, are also provided.

Abstract: An improved eye tracker system and methods for detecting eye parameters including eye movement using a pupil center, pupil diameter (i.e., dilation), blink duration, and blink frequency, which may be used to determine a variety of physiological and psychological conditions. The eye tracker system and methods operates at a ten-fold reduction in power usage as compared to current system and methods. Furthermore, eye tracker system and methods allows for a more optimal use in variable light situations such as in the outdoors and does not require active calibration by the user.

Abstract: In general, the short range wireless powered ring described herein pertains to a finger-worn ring. In one embodiment the ring has a small interaction area towards the palm of the hand that employs sensors to sense user input and can interpret this input and other data. For example, the ring can interpret user input as scroll and select input actions. The ring communicates user interactions and other data wirelessly using a low-power wireless solution. The ring contains a coil and other circuitry for energy harvesting from short range wireless enabled devices such as, for example, NFC enabled phones, while users interact with their devices. A built in rechargeable battery is used to store the scavenged energy. The ring may also contain physiological and inertial sensors. The ring can provide a readily available input device of small form factor that has an easily accessible energy source for ease of use.