WO2005124015A1

WO2005124015A1 - Techno optical fiber textile

Info

Publication number: WO2005124015A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheon-Soo Jeong
Original assignee: Cheon-Soo Jeong
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2004-07-06
Publication date: 2005-12-29
Also published as: JP2008511761A; KR20040070115A; KR100540975B1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a techno optical fiber textile. The optical fiber textile comprises a plurality of optical fibers, and a light source unit. The end of each optical fiber is protrudingly arranged to constitute a desired pattern or letter on the surface of a textile and the other ends of the optical fibers are connected to the light source unit. The light source unit transmits colored light rays to the ends of the optical fibers constituting the pattern or letter, thereby performing an animation of a plurality of patterns. The optical fiber textile further comprises a communication means for carrying out a wired or wireless communication.

Description

Description TECHNO OPTICAL FIBER TEXTILE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a techno optical fiber textile in which a variety of light-emitting patterns can be provided by implanting an optical fiber and a light source therefor. Particularly, the present invention relates to an optical fiber textile for realizing a new concept of clothes, in which a communication can be carried out in the textile itself and the optical fiber pattern can be controlled variously and remotely, by including various communication means and heat-generating means.

[2] Background Art

[3] Recently, there has been proposed a technique for providing clothes, a cap or a bag with a light-emitting pattern (including letters) by using an optical fiber. Accordingly, many attempts have been made to manufacture new generation clothes with a dynamic and brilliant animation implanted therein, which has been widely spread and popularized among young people having a marked individuality.

[4] A typical one of these attempts is exemplified by Korean Patent Application No. 2002-63077 entitled "optical Fiber Embroidered Fabrics and Manufacturing Method thereof." This patent is directed to an optical fiber embroidered textile and manufacturing method thereof, in which a particular pattern made of optical fibers is embroidered in the textile and the light transmitted from a light source unit is emitted through the ends of the optical fibers, thereby providing a good aesthetic feeling. In particular, the embroidered optical fiber is stably fixed to the textile and thus a high reliability can be achieved. Furthermore, the light source unit is placed between a base fabric and a water-proof fabric for the water-proof of the light source, and the front end portion of the optical fiber bundle is bonded together and cured, thereby greatly improving the durability of articles.

[5] Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Said washable optical fiber textile having a good durability has been realized. F wever, it is limited to a simple expression of patterns by optical fibers. Therefore, there occurs a problem in that this technique can not satisty a variety of users 'desires, for example, various communication tools or the like. [7] In addition, for the conventional optical fiber textile, since the light source unit for supplying light rays to the optical fibers is mounted in the clothes, static electricity readily generated in the clothes causes an abnormal operation of its circuit or other components. Technical Solution

[8] Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber textile having a variety of communication functions, together with a pattern made of optical fibers by providing various communication means while using the already-installed light-source unit.

[9] Another object of the invention is to provide a techo optical fiber textile, which can protect the light source unit from static electricity.

[10] A further object of the invention is to provide a techo optical fiber textile, in which a heat-generating sheet is provided in order to warm the clothes itself when used in a cold environment.

[11] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a techno optical fiber textile. The techno optical fiber textile of the invention comprises; a) a plurality of optical fibers, one end of each optical fiber being protrudingly arranged to constitute a desired pattern or letter on the surface of a textile; b) a light source unit to which the other ends of the optical fibers are connected, wherein light rays transmitted from the light source unit is emitted to the outside of the surface of the optical fiber textile through the ends of the optical fibers constituting the pattern or letter; and c) a communication means for carrying out a wired or wireless communication, thereby performing a communication while performing an animation of a plurality of patterns.

[12] Advantageous Effects

[13] According to the invention as described above, a dynamic pattern displayed by light-emitting optical fibers is implanted into the clothes and the like, and the displayed pattern can be controlled by the wearer of the clothes, and plural patterns can be collectively controlled remotely, thereby providing for a new concept of advertisement and public information tools.

[14] In addition, simply wearing the clothes of the invention enables the wearer to carry out a unified multi x)mmunication, without any additional Internet equipment or telephone. [15] Furthermore, the clothes of the invention are designed to warms itself, so that it can be used simply and conveniently in a cold area or environment. [16] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. [17] [18] Brief Description of the Drawings [19] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conμnction with the accompanying drawings in which: [20] FIG. 1 is a front view of clothes where an optical fiber pattern is applied according to one embodiment of the invention; [21] FIG. 2 is a rear view of clothes where another optical fiber pattern is applied according to one embodiment of the invention; [22] FIG. 3 is a front view of clothes to which another optical fiber pattern is applied according to the invention; [23] FIG. 4 illustrates an optical fiber pattern, which is comprised of the ends of the optical fibers constituting the pattern in the clothes of FIG. 3; [24] FIG. 5 shows an internal configuration of one embodiment of the invention;

[25] FIG. 6 shows an internal configuration of another embodiment of the invention;

[26] FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a unified terminal connected to a light source unit according to the invention; [27] FIG. 8 is an internal configuration of the invention, where the terminal of FIG. 7 is used; [28] FIG. 9 illustrates a variation of the terminal in FIG. 7;

[29] FIG. 10 shows a configuration of the invention, where the terminal of FIG. 9 is employed. [30] FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the main portion in one embodiment of the invention;

[31] FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the main portion in another embodiment of the invention; [32] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the part A in FIG. 12;

[33] FIG. 14 illustrates another variation of FIG. 12; [34] FIG. 15 illustrates another variation of FIG. 14;

[35] FIG. 16 shows the inside of clothes to which the present invention is applied;

[36] FIG. 17 shows a variation of FIG. 16;

[37] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the part B in FIG. 17;

[38] FIG. 19 shows another variation of FIG. 16;

[39] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the invention; and

[40] FIGS. 21 to 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of another embodiments of the invention. [41]

[42] {Description of marks in FIG 20 to FIG 25>

[43] 111; Memory Unit

[44] 120; Mike Module

[45] 140; Speaker Module

[46] 150; Power Supply

[47] 110; Control Unit

[48] 160; Light- emitting Module

[49] 170; Heat-generating Module

[50] 180; GPS Module

[51] 190; External Remote Control Module [52]

[53] 185; Mobile Phone Module

[54] 130; Camera Module

[55] 185; CDMA Module [56] [57] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[58] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention are hereafter described in detail. [59] The present invention may be applied to clothes as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and also can be applied to a cap, a bag, or various leather products. [60] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a variety of patterns can be embodied on the outer surface of clothes by means of the ends V of optical fibers. In these patterns, each strand of optical fiber constitutes one point of the pattern, and each point of the pattern emits various colored light, thereby being able to implant a dynamic pattern moving while changing its colors, as well as a static pattern.

[61] Behind the textile, the other ends of the optical fibers 1 is bound according to the sectors and connected to a light source unit 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[62] The light source unit 100 is comprised of a printed circuit board 11, a controller (serves as a control unit) mounted on the printed circuit board 11, and a light emitting module (denoted at 160 in FIGS. 20 to 25) mounted on the printed circuit board 11 and connected to the controller in order to transmit various colored light rays. A communication means is provided to the printed circuit board 11 and preferably connected to the controller (hereinafter, also referred to a "control unit".

[63] The light emitting module is embodied as a plurality of light emitting element 107 such as a light emitting diode (LED). A dynamic movement of the pattern can be achieved by controlling the on-and-off of each light-emitting element according to the commands from the controller.

[64] It is well known to those skill in the art that the light emitting source unit and the optical fibers placed rear of the base fabric are received between a water-proof fabric and a bonding sheet (water-proof) bonded to the rear side of the base fabric, thereby providing a water-proof structure.

[65] Mode for the Invention

[66] In addition, according to the invention, the communication means may include a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 180 capable of communicating with a GPS satellite 181, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 25.

[67] The GPS module 180 is connected to the control unit 110 (the controller). In this way, a person wearing clothes according to the invention can be tracked down through the GPS satellite 181. Furthermore, the light source unit of the invention can be controlled remotely through the GPS satellite and thus the pattern made of optical fibers can also be controlled. Also, a desired sound can be made through a loud speaker, which can be connected to the light source unit of the invention.

[68] Therefore, in case where a large number of people wear the clothes of the invention and the patterns of individual people is manipulated in various ways through the GPS satellite, the same effect as a large scaled card-section or body section can be achieved. At this time, each people wearing the clothes of the invention does not need to take any voluntary motion, thereby realizing an easy, but maximized advertising effect. Thus, the present invention can be effectively and advantageously applied to the advertisement industry. [69] As the GPS module, a wireless communication chip configured to communicate with the GPS satellite has been commercialized, which can be employed in the present invention. Details thereon will not be described.

[70] In addition, the communication means may include a mobile phone module 185, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23. The mobile phone module (wireless phone communication module) is connected to the control unit 110, and employs a general system capable of communicating with a control station via a base station. The most popularized CDMA module is preferred.

[71] In the construction described above, the light source unit itself (or a remote controller, denoted at 191 or 192 in FIGS. 5 and 6) may be a mobile communication terminal.

[72] As a voice input/output device of the GPS module and the mobile phone module, a mike 12 and a loud speaker 14 are preferred to be connected to the light source unit. In addition, a mike module 120 and a speaker module 140 are more preferred to be connected to the light source unit in order to primarily control the mike 12 and the loud speaker 14 respectively. The mike module and the speaker module is controlled by the control unit 110.

[73] The mike and the loud speaker can be used in both the GPS module and the mobile phone module.

[74] Furthermore, the light source unit is preferably provided with a remote control module 190 mounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the controller, and an external remote controller, as shown in FIGS. 6, 20 to 25.

[75] As the external remote controller, a wired remote controller 191 wire-connected to the light source unit can be employed, as shown in FIG. 22, or a wireless remote controller 192 can be employed as shown in FIG. 23. Accordingly, the remote control module 190 can be provided with a wireless transmitting and receiving unit, or a wired input/output interface.

[76] As another embodiment of the invention, the mobile phone module 185 in FIGS. 21 and 22 can be mounted on the wired remote controller 191 or the wireless remote controller 192 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 such that a wireless telephone communication (or a wireless communication) can be carried out. In this embodiment, therefore, the remote controllers can serves as a wireless communication terminal.

[77] In other words, this embodiment includes a remote control module mounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the control unit, and an external remote controller communicating with the remote control module. The remote control module is provided with a wireless telephone communication module.

[78] In this embodiment, similar to FIGS. 21 to 23, the light source unit may include a mike module 120 connected to the mike 12 to primarily control the mike 12, and a speaker module 140 connected to the loud speaker 14 to primarily control the loud speaker 14. The mike module and speaker module are configured to be controlled by the control unit 110.

[79] Furthermore, a receiver can be connected to the mike and the loud speaker through a connecting jack (not shown). The connecting jack for the receiver may be connected directly to the mike module 120 and the speaker module 140. The mike module and the speaker module may include a voice signal treating unit for analogue-digital conversion.

[80] Therefore, users can manipulate directly all the functions of the light source unit by means of the remote control module as described above.

[81] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, the clothes, where the present invention is applied, may be provided with a separate receiving pocket 300 at the inner side thereof, thereby holding the external remote controller 191, 192 conveniently and safely therein.

[82] In the case of the above embodiments, where the GPS module, the wireless mobile phone communication module or the external remote control module are combined, their inter-connection and control can use a technique disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-63826 entitled "GPS Date Communication System and Method."

[83] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, the light source unit is sealed between the base fabric 1 and the water-proof fabric 6, and thus includes a lead wire 200 having a connecting terminal, which is led to the outside of the water-proof fabric. The wired remote control 191 or the mike 12 and the loud speaker 14 can be connected to the connecting terminal. Alternatively, these components 191, 12, 14 can be connected directly to the lead wire 200 without the connecting terminal.

[84] In addition, the lead wire 200 may be provided with a communication terminal 220 such as a USB terminal such that the communication with various external devices and the information exchange can be carried out through a wired communication.

[85] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a camera 13 may be provided according to the invention. The camera 13 is connected to the light source unit 100 through a lead wire, and a image signal treating unit can be installed in the camera itself or in the light source unit. The image signal input from the camera 13 can be utilized or transmitted by means of the GPS module 180, the wireless mobile phone communication module 185, and the remote control module 190. [86] Furthermore, a recording operation can be carried out through the mike 12, and preferably the recording may be operated through the external remote controller.

[87] In addition, a memory unit 11 is preferably provided on the printed circuit board in order to use or store various signals conveniently.

[88] Alternatively, the remote controller 191, 192 connected to the light source unit by wired or wireless may be provided with an adequate memory as an external storage medium.

[89] In addition, a lead wire 200 having a connecting jack 210 is drawn out from the light source unit. The external remote controller 191, 192 having a control button can be connected to the connecting jack 210, and can serve as an external battery case with a battery equipped therein.

[90] A basic construction of the above-described battery case disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2003-82506 entitled "Rechargeable battery case having a combined jack for charging and discharging." Preferably, the disclosed basic structure is associated with a conventional remote control construction, or together with a mobile phone module.

[91] The above-described configuration, where a remote controller is combined integrally with a battery case, may be employed as the external remote controller in all the previous embodiment of the invention.

[92] The lead wire 200 may include an electric wire and a communication wire. The battery case can be provided with a display window, a LAN card and a keyboard, thereby allowing for an Internet communication. Therefore, the configuration of the invention can perform the same functions as in the smart phone, thereby enabling a computer communication through the Internet and a mobile communication.

[93] In addition, the light source unit 100 can include an auxiliary chargeable battery (not shown) in order to operate itself on its own. In this case, a lead wire for supplying an electric power to charge the auxiliary rechargeable batter can be provided in the same way as the lead wire described above.

[94] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the light source unit of the invention can be provided with a unified terminal 211 with a modified lead wire. The unified terminal 211 is constructed to include all the individual terminals 212 as previously described.

[95] In other words, the unified terminal 211 is connected to the light source unit through the lead wire, and a plurality of terminals (212) is collectively formed in the unified terminal 211, which is provided with a water-proof cap 213 in order to seal the terminal. [96] In addition, as another embodiment of the unified terminal, it can include a charging jack 215 to be connected to the battery case 191 when required.

[97] In this way, the connections with various peripherals such as a computer 500, an external memory, an MP3 player, a camcorder, a printer or the like can be achieved in a neat and tidy manner, along with a reliable water-proof.

[98] Preferably, a protection coating layer 116 is provided on the whole surface of the light source unit 100 in order to protect the electronic parts of the light source unit from the static electricity generated in the textile or clothes, or avoid a mal-operation thereof due to the static electricity.

[99] The protection coating layer 116 is preferred to be formed on the outer face of a water-proof coating 115, which cover the whole outer face of the light source unit. Alternatively, the water-proof coating itself may be designed to include a function for protecting the system from static electricity.

[100] The protection coating layer may be embodied using a paint selected from various static-electricity protection paints already commercialized on the market.

[101] According to another embodiment of the invention, a heat-generating sheet 4 is provided as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. The heat-generating sheet 4 is placed between the base fabric 1 and an outermost fabric 2, and the terminal for power supply is connected to the light source unit.

[102] As the heat-generating sheet, a commercialized sheet with carbon power coated thereon can be employed, but not limited thereto.

[103] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the heat-generating sheet 4 is attached to the underneath of a bonding sheet 3, which is attached to the underneath of the outermost fabric 2. Another bonding sheet 3" is attached to the underneath of the heat-generating sheet 4. To the underneath of the bonding sheet 3" is attached a rubber pad 5, to which the water-proof fabric 6 is attached. The light source unit 100 is buried between the rubber pad 5 and the water-proof fabric 6.

[104] The bonding sheets 3, 3" are preferred to have a good bonding force and a good water-proofing property.

[105] Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, the bonding sheet 3 is attached to the underneath of the outermost fabric 2, and the rubber pad 5 is attached to the underneath of the bonding sheet 3. Another bonding sheet 3"is attached to the underneath of the rubber pad 5, and the water-proof fabric 6 is attached to the underneath of the bonding sheet 3\ The light source unit 100 is placed inside the water-proof fabric 6 and the heat-generating sheet is disposed spaced apart from the light source unit 100 with connected thereto. Furthermore, to the underneath of the heat-generating sheet 4 is attached the water-proof fabric 6, through which a cord is drawn out and connected to the light source unit 100.

[106] As described above, the heat-generating sheet 4 can be mounted on a desired place of the clothes to be warmed.

[107] The electric power for the heat-generating sheet may be supplied from the internal auxiliary rechargeable battery or from the external battery case.

[108] According to the present invention as described above, a dynamic colored pattern made of optical fibers can be embodied in the clothes or the like, and also a person wearing the clothes can be tracked down using a GPS satellite, thereby avoiding a missing child and allowing for an effective and convenient search for a missing child. A GPS module, a mobile phone module and a Internet communication can be integrated and unified. Resultantly, a techno optical fiber textile of a new concept is realized.

[109] The individual modules are connected to a control unit and exchange information with each other so that the voice, image and digital data can be utilized cooperatively, thereby realizing a unified multi-communication in the clothes in itself.

[HO]

[111] Industrial Applicability

[112] According to the invention as described above, a dynamic pattern displayed by light-emitting optical fibers is implanted into the clothes and the like, and the displayed pattern can be controlled by the wearer of the clothes, and plural patterns can be collectively controlled remotely, thereby providing for a new concept of advertisement and public information tools.

[113] In addition, simply wearing the clothes of the invention enables the wearer to carry out a unified multi x)mmunication, without any additional Internet equipment or telephone.

[114] Furthermore, the clothes of the invention are designed to warms itself, so that it can be used simply and conveniently in a cold area or environment.

[115] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore the invention are applicabile to clothes, a cap, a bag or the others using textile.

Claims

[1] A techno optical fiber textile comprising: a) a plurality of optical fibers, one end of each optical fiber being protrudingly arranged to constitute a desired pattern or letter on the surface of a textile; b) a light source unit to which the other ends of the optical fibers are connected, wherein light rays transmitted from the light source unit is emitted to the outside of the surface of the optical fiber textile through the ends of the optical fibers constituting the pattern or letter; and c) a communication means for carrying out a wired or wireless communication, thereby performing a communication while performing an animation of a plurality of patterns.

[2] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit comprises a printed circuit board, a controller mounted on the printed circuit board, and a light emitting module connected to the controller for transmitting a colored light ray, and wherein the communication means is mounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the controller.

[3] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein the communication means includes a GPS module for communicating with a GPS satellite.

[4] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein the communication means includes a wireless mobile phone communication module.

[5] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein a mike and a loud speaker are connected to the light source unit.

[6] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein a camera is connected to the light source unit.

[7] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein a memory unit is mounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the controller thereof.

[8] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein a static-electricity protection coating layer is provided to the surface of the light source unit.

[9] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein the textile includes an outermost fabric layer (2) provided on the top surface of the textile and a heat- generating sheet (4) formed inside of the textile for emitting heat, and the power terminal of the heat-generating sheet (4) is connected to the light source unit.

[10] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 9, wherein the heat-generating sheet (4) is attached to the underneath of a bonding sheet (3) which is attached to the underneath of the outermost fabric layer, another bonding sheet is attached to the underneath of the heat-generating sheet (4), a rubber pad (5) is attached to the underneath of the another bonding sheet (3\ a water-proof fabric layer (6) is attached to the underneath of the rubber pad (5), and the light source unit is placed between the rubber pad and the water-proof fabric layer.

[11] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, further comprising a remote control module mounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the controller thereof, and an external remote controller communicating with the remote control module.

[12] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, further comprising a remote control module mounted on the printed circuit board and connected to the controller thereof, and an external remote controller communicating with the remote control module, wherein the external remote controller includes a wireless mobile phone communication module.

[13] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 11, wherein the external remote controller includes an external battery case, wherein the external battery case is connected to a connecting jack formed in an end of a lead wire which is drawn out from the light source unit, has an operation button, and includes a rechargeable battery equipped therein.

[14] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 13, wherein the lead wire comprises an electric wire and a communication wire, and the battery case includes a display window, a LAN card, and a key-board, for allowing for an Internet communication.

[15] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 13, wherein the light source unit includes an auxiliary rechargeable battery such that it can operate itself.

[16] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 2, wherein a unified terminal (211) is connected to one end of a lead wire, the other end of which is connected to the light source unit, wherein the unified terminal includes a plurality of terminals (212) to connect a plurality of peripheral devices thereto, and a waterproof cap is provided at one side of the unified terminal to seal the united terminal.

[17] A techno optical fiber textile according to claim 16, wherein the unified terminal has a charging jack formed at one side thereof for connection with the battery case.