Smart apparel and its applications - III

The authors Dr A Venkatachalam, L Ashok Kumar & N S Vijaybabu discuss the working of smart apparels, and how these can be used in varied applications.

This is the third and final part of this article.

Working principle

Pulse sensor is integrated inside the cuff assembly which is used for blood pressure measurement. It produces one negative clock pulse for every effective pulse in the wrist. The negative pulse is then transferred to the 14 stage ripple binary carry counter which counts from pulse rate. From the counter the output pins are connected with the display unit through the latches, which hold the counted value. In this method the pulse signals are used as input to count the pulse rate. Normally in human body the pulse signal occurs in the following locations:

(a) Right Arm and Left Arm

(b) Right Arm and Left Leg

(c) Left Arm and Left Leg

(d) Right Arm (Left Arm, Left Leg)

(e) Left Arm (Right Arm, Left Leg)

(f) Left Leg (Right Arm, Left Leg)

(g) Right Arm, Left Arm, Left Leg

Ground: Right leg (Common to all)

We can get a pulse signal from the above said point in the human body. The pulse signals are traced by means of the disposable electrodes. From the disposable electrode input is given to the amplification and filter circuit which converts the analog signal into a discrete one. The conversion takes place by the Wilson Network Consists of Electronic Components and micro controller programs.

Video communication

This is a novel idea in wearable electronics. There will be a video camera embedded in the garment from which we can view the battle field. We can guide the soldiers by means of watching the actual locations in the battle field. This will be so useful in saving the soldier's life. We can give them instructions that in which direction they have to move. We can alert them from any explosions. Like this we can instruct them in so many ways by watching the actual situations. A modulating circuit is used to modulate the video signals and is transmitted to a remote center.

Two way audio communication circuit

Radios are a frequently used means of communication. Radios are particularly suited for use when you are on the move and need a means of maintaining command and control. As the need grows to talk over greater distances and to more units, the size and complexity of radios are increased. There will be larger length of antenna which creates discomfort to the soldier. Operating the devices is also too complicated. Soldiers have to take extra care for holding the mike. They should keep the mike closer to mouth to speak also they have to carry the mike in one hand to speak. All these drawbacks are overcome by means of wearable electronics clothing. In case of this garment the circuits which are going to transmit and receive the voice signals are too small and also they are embedded into the fabric. Head phone and mike are clipped near to the ear and mouth. Since there is no need to take extra cares for speaking and hearing. From the battery power can be taped for the circuits. It eliminates large weight of batteries. It gives a constant power for the circuits. To establish a communication between the soldiers and to the control room FM band is used. In this FM transmitter is used to transmit the voice signals and FM receiver to receive the voice signals.

Soldier's status monitor software

Software was developed in VB 6.0 to get all the details to a PC. It has two leafs. One leaf contains the soldier's details. This leaf contains the soldier's personal details, physical data and macrobiotic data. Even it displays the photo of the soldier and left thumb impression of the soldier. The second leaf is created for monitoring the soldier status. It contains the vital signs frame which contains temperature value, pulse rate value & status of the soldier. It also contains a hidden plus symbol which gets activated whenever a bullet wound occur. There is small window from which we can see the actual vision of the battlefield.

Conclusion

By building much of what we normally interact with our clothing directly, we in some sense become smart people with the potential to interact wit external processes in a much more natural way exploring the concept of these 'For-in- future use' technologies, the concept of smart clothing evolves. They bring more control to the user and suggests even the possibility of turning the tables on what would otherwise become Orwellian like surveillance. Although the proposed technologies will replace the environmental technology but the goal is to work in harmony with some remaining degree of environmental technology. Thus the trendsetters proposed for the year 2010 will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment.

(Dr Venkatachalam is HOD, Mr Ashok Kumar is Lecturer and Mr Vijaybabu is Project Associate, Department of Textile Technology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore)