WO2023150227A1 - Vêtements comprenant des panneaux électroniques dotés de substrats auxquels est fixé un fil conducteur - Google Patents

Vêtements comprenant des panneaux électroniques dotés de substrats auxquels est fixé un fil conducteur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023150227A1
WO2023150227A1 PCT/US2023/012216 US2023012216W WO2023150227A1 WO 2023150227 A1 WO2023150227 A1 WO 2023150227A1 US 2023012216 W US2023012216 W US 2023012216W WO 2023150227 A1 WO2023150227 A1 WO 2023150227A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
garment
panel
substrate
conductive wire
electrically conductive
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2023/012216
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Clemens Deilmann
Joachim Kuhnke
Joachim W. Müller
Nicolas L. POIRETTE LANTEAUME
Original Assignee
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
W. L. Gore & Associates Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates Gmbh filed Critical W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Publication of WO2023150227A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023150227A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D1/00—Garments
    • A41D1/002—Garments adapted to accommodate electronic equipment
    • A41D1/005—Garments adapted to accommodate electronic equipment with embedded cable or connector

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, systems, and methods forwearable electronics. More specifically, the disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for flexible electronic panels that can be incorporated into various garments.
  • Wearable electronics and smart garments are becoming increasingly popular. These wearable electronics, such as smart watches can detect the pulse rate and oxygen saturation of a wearer. Smart garments can detect the movement of a wearer, potentially alerting a user of an unsafe condition or can cause a garment to light up, enhancing visibility in low light conditions or for advertising or marketing purposes. Further, the capability of wearable electronics has increased dramatically during the last number of years, while the price of wearable electronics decreased, adding to the popularity of these items.
  • garments are typically made of multiple fabric panels that are sewn together. The electronic circuitry of a smart garment is often required to extend from one panel to another panel, and interconnects between adjacent panels must be used to connect the electronics where the two panels meet. These electrical connections coupling two panels may have excessive wear due to the regular flexing of material at the seams of the garment, leading to the electronic panel being inoperable. Embodiments disclosed herein solve these problems.
  • Garments typically require multiple panel pieces, where adjacent panel pieces are joined by sewing, stitching, bonding, adhering, welding or joining to form the finished garment.
  • a shirt can be produced from at least 4 panels, a front trunk portion, a rear trunk portion and two arm portions. The panels can be sewn together at adjacent edges to form the garment.
  • the present disclosure describes a unitary panel comprising at least one conductive wire attached to a substrate that can be used as one of the panel pieces to produce a garment.
  • unitary panel with at least one conductive wire allows for a garment where the electronic connections are not required to cross from one panel to another panel, thereby producing a durable smart garment.
  • unitary panel and “electronic panel” are equivalent and mean a panel that is free from a seam crossing over the panel. At least one edge portion of the unitary panel may have a seam joining the unitary panel to an adjacent panel or joining one edge of the unitary panel to itself, for exam pie, in the case of the panel encircling a cuff portion.
  • the electronic panel is a unitary panel comprising at least one conductive wire.
  • a garment includes a plurality of panels, wherein a first panel includes a unitary substrate extending from a first appendage of the garment to a second appendage of the garment; and at least one conductive wire attached to the substrate; and wherein the remaining plurality of panels form the remainder of the garment.
  • the unitary substrate comprises a textile substrate.
  • the textile substrate comprises one of a weaved, knitted, nonwoven, crocheted, knotted, tatted, felted or braided structure.
  • the textile substrate comprises polymeric material, optionally one or more of polyurethanes; polyesters, for exam pie, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrim ethylene terephthalate and/or polybutylene terephthalate; polyamide, for example, nylon 6, nylon 6,6; fluoropolymers, for exam pie, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE); acrylates; methacrylates; polyethers; polyesteramides, polyetheramides; polyetheresters; polyetherurethanes; polyesterurethanes; or poly etheresterurethanes; or copolymers, blends or multilayer laminates thereof.
  • polyurethanes polyesters, for exam pie, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrim ethylene terephthalate and/or polybutylene terephthalate
  • polyamide for example, nylon 6, nylon 6,6
  • fluoropolymers for exam pie, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded
  • the textile substrate comprises natural material, optionally one or more of wool, cotton or hemp.
  • the unitary substrate comprises polymeric material, optionally one or more of polyurethanes; polyesters, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, poly trim ethylene terephthalate and/or poly butylene terephthalate; polyamide, for exam pie, nylon 6, nylon 6,6; fluoropolymers, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE); acrylates; methacrylates; polyethers; polyesteramides, polyetheramides; polyetheresters; polyetherurethanes; polyesterurethanes; or poly etheresterurethanes; or copolymers, blends or multilayer laminates thereof.
  • polyurethanes polyesters, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, poly trim ethylene terephthalate and/or poly butylene terephthalate
  • polyamide for exam pie, nylon 6, nylon 6,6
  • the unitary substrate comprises one or more of a film or a membrane.
  • the unitary substrate comprises natural material, optionally one or more of leather or fur.
  • the conductive wire is attached to the unitary substrate by one or more of potting material, adhesive, stitches, or interleaving with fibers of the substrate.
  • the first panel further comprises a layer of material attached to the unitary substrate to define a tunnel, wherein the conductive wire is located within the tunnel.
  • the layer of material comprises one or more of a textile fabric, a film, or a microporous mem brane.
  • the unitary substrate defines a tunnel, wherein the conductive wire is located within the tunnel.
  • Example 13 further to Example 12 the tunnel is defined by woven filaments of the substrate.
  • Example 14 further to Example 12 the tunnel is defined by a folded portion of the substrate, optionally an edge of the substrate, attached to the substrate, wherein the folded portion is optionally attached to the substrate by stitching.
  • the wire comprises an insulated wire.
  • Example 16 further to any of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the wire comprises a multi-conductor wire.
  • the multi-conductor wire comprises a ribbon wire.
  • the multi-conductor wire comprises a bundled or twisted wire.
  • Example 19 further to any of Examples 1 to 18 wherein the wire defines a serpentine path.
  • Example 20 further to Example 19 the wire defines a serpentine path, optionally a sinusoidal or zig-zag path, in an x-y plane of the substrate.
  • Example 21 further to Example 19 the wire defines a coiled path.
  • the garment is an upper body garment and the first panel extends from a central portion across a front or a back of the garment to the distal portion of the first arm and to the distal portion of the second arm .
  • the garment is a lower body garment and the first panel extends from a central portion across a front or a back of the garment to the distal portion of a first leg and to the distal portion of a second leg.
  • the garment is a one-piece coverall garment and the first panel further comprises a trunk extension portion extending from the front or back of the one-piece coverall garment to a trunk portion of the one-piece coverall garment and further comprises at least one leg extension portion extending from a distal portion of the trunk extension portion to a distal portion of at least one of a leg portion of the one-piece garment.
  • At least one portion of at least one of the distal portions of the first panel further comprises a laterally elongated portion which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of the arm portion and/or the leg portion of the garment.
  • each of the one or more panels independently may or may not have some degree of elasticity.
  • the first panel further comprises an electrical connection coupled to the at least one conductive wire and configured to releasably couple to one or more electronic components.
  • the garment further comprises a zipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or a combination thereof.
  • the one or more electronic components is one or more of: a power supply, a power switch, a sensor, an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, or a combination thereof.
  • Example 30 further to Example 29, at least two of: the power supply, the power switch, the sensor, the electronic circuit, the antenna, the wireless transmitter, the wireless receiver, the remote control, the display device, the touch screen, the audio transmitter, the speaker, the microphone, the haptic device, the heating element, or the combination thereof are connected to each other by the conductive wire.
  • Example 31 further to any of Examples 29 or 30, at least one of: the power supply, the power switch, the sensor, the electronic circuit, the antenna, the wireless transmitter, the wireless receiver, the remote control, the display device, the touch screen, the audio transmitter, the speaker, the microphone, the haptic device, the heating element, or the combination thereof is removable and/or replaceable.
  • the first panel is a multilayer or laminate panel.
  • the first panel is a laminate comprising an outer layer, a middle layer including the unitary substrate, and an inner layer.
  • Example 34 further to Example 33, one or both of the outer layer and the inner layer comprise a textile layer.
  • the first panel further comprises a conductive connection configured to route electricity or electrical signals from the first panel to a second panel.
  • at least one portion of at least one of the distal portions of the first panel further comprises a power supply housing.
  • the unitary substrate is flexible and/or stretchable.
  • Example 38 a panel that is substantially flat and that is capable of being incorporated into a garment (or an article) to form a 3-dimensional garment/article piece, wherein the panel comprises a unitary substrate and at least one conductive wire attached to the unitary substrate.
  • the panel is flexible and/or stretchable.
  • a method of manufacturing a garment including a plurality of panels includes providing a unitary substrate; providing a conductive wire; attaching the conductive wire to the unitary substrate to form a first panel; coupling the first panel to a second panel of the plurality of panels at a seam; coupling any remaining panels to the first panel and/or the second panel to form the garment; and wherein the first panel is devoid of any seams extending: laterally across a portion of the panel, longitudinally across a portion of the panel, or a combination thereof.
  • Example 41 further to Example 40, the first panel extends from a first appendage of the garment to a second appendage of the garment.
  • the garment is a shirt, wherein the first panel extends from a central portion of a front or a back of the shirt to a distal portion of the first arm and to a distal portion of the second arm.
  • the garment is a pair of pants
  • the first panel extends from a central portion across the front or back of the garment to the distal portion of the first leg and to a distal portion of the second leg.
  • attaching the conductive wire to the unitary substrate comprises one or more of potting, adhering, stitching, or interleaving with fibers of the unitary substrate, or extending the conductive wire through a tunnel on the unitary substrate.
  • FIG. 1 is an example system of an electronic panel incorporated into a garment that can be worn by a subject, according to at least one embodiment
  • FIGS. 2A-B is an example of an electronic panel incorporated into a garment, according to at least one embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is an example of the electronic panel illustrated in FIGS. 2A-B decoupled from the garment, according to at least one embodiment
  • FIGS. 4A-B is another example of an electronic panel incorporated into a garment, according to at least one embodiment
  • FIGS. 5A-B is yet another example of an electronic panel incorporated into a garment, according to at least one embodiment
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrammatic illustrations of sections of electronic panels including substrates and attached electrically conductive wires according to embodiments.
  • FIGS. 7A-7G are schematic cross sectional illustrations of substrates and attached electrically conductive wires according to embodiments
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating physical components (e.g., hardware) of a computing device with which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced;
  • FIG. 9A is a simplified diagram of a mobile computing device with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.
  • FIG. 9B is another simplified block diagram of a mobile computing device with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.
  • FIG. 10 is another example of an electronic panel incorporated into a garment, according to at least one embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is an example system 100 of an electronic panel 102 incorporated into a garment 104 that can be worn by a subject 106, in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the electronic panel 102 can be incorporated into various types of garments 104 including but not limited to shirts (e.g., long-sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, tank tops, etc.), pants, shorts, overalls, coveralls, leggings, dresses, skirts, underwear, gloves, socks, hats, and/or the like.
  • the electronic panel 102 and/or the garment 104 comprises a textile fabric, a film, a microporous membrane, or other suitable substrate, which independently may or may not have some degree of elasticity, or a laminate including the substrate and one or more other layers of material such as a textile fabric, a film, a microporous membrane, or other suitable substrates. Additional details of these examples are provided below.
  • the electronic panel 102 can be a unitary panel that, along with panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B”, form the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 102 is attached to one or more panels pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B” at or near the perimeter of each panel piece and forms a portion of the garment 104.
  • individual panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B” and the electronic panel 102 that form the garment 104 may be attached to each other by a seam.
  • the electronic panel 102 can be coupled to the individual panel pieces by at least one seam 108’, 108”, 108”’ that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the electronic panel 102.
  • Attachment methods to form the seam can include, for example, stitching, bonding, laminating, gluing, adhesion, welding or a combination thereof. Because the electronic panel 102 can be unitary and is attached to more than one panel piece A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B” of the garment 104, electrical connections between individual garment panels are not required.
  • An electrically conductive wire (e.g., the electrically conductive wire 120 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple portions of the garment 104, for exam pie, adjacent to multiple panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B”, by extending along a portion of a length of the electronic panel 102 and/or along an entirety of the length of the electronic panel 102.
  • an electrically conductive wire e.g., the electrically conductive wire 120 discussed below
  • an electrically conductive wire can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple portions of the garment 104, for example, panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B”, by extending along a portion of a width of the electronic panel 102 and/or along an entirety of the width of the electronic panel 102.
  • the electronic panel 102 and the functionality thereof can be associated with multiple panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B”.
  • the present disclosure describes the formation of garments from a unitary panel and one or more additional panels, those one or more additional panels are described herein as A’, A”, A’”, B’ and/or B”, for convenience only.
  • the garment may be produced from the unitary panel, that is, the electronic panel, and from at least one additional panel.
  • the number of additional panels could be 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more.
  • the exact number of additional panels used to form the garment will depend upon many factors and, for example, can be a design choice, a functional decision or a combination of design and function.
  • the electronic panel 102 can be an electronic panel that is devoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to at least one of the panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B” of the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 102 is devoid of any seams extending laterally across a portion of the electronic panel 102, i.e. , extending across a portion of the width of the electronic panel 102.
  • the electronic panel 102 is devoid of any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of the electronic panel 102, i.e., extending across a portion of the length of the electronic panel 102.
  • the electronic panel 102 is sewn, applied, and/or adhered to the other panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B” to form the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 102 may be attached to multiple panels A’, A”, A’” by extending from a first appendage of the garment 104 to a second appendage of the garment 104, for example, a distal portion of a first arm portion 110 to a distal portion of a second arm portion 112.
  • the distal portion of the first arm portion 110 may be referred to herein as a first distal portion of a first arm portion 110
  • the distal portion of a second arm portion 112 may be referred to herein as a second distal portion of a second arm portion 112
  • the electronic panel 102 may be attached to a portion of the torso of the garment 104, as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the electronic panel 102 can extend from a first point 113 on the torso of the garment 104 to a second point 115 on the torso of the garment 104.
  • the first point 113 and the second point 115 are on the same side of the torso of the garment 104 and in other embodiments the first point 113 and the second point 115 are on different sides of the torso of the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 102 wraps around less than half of the torso of the garment 104 and in other embodiments the electronic panel 102 wraps around more than half of the torso of the garment 104. In some embodiments, the electronic panel 102 wraps around an entire circumference of the torso of the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 102 can include a laterally elongated portion 110, 112 at one or more of the arm portions, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the arm portions of the subject 106.
  • the electronic panel 102 may, in some embodiments, provide a relatively tight fit around one or more arms of the subject 106, which can facilitate accurate readings by one or more sensors incorporated into the electronic panel 102, as discussed in more detail below.
  • the electronic panel 102 can include a laterally elongated portion 110, 112, arranged at a distance from one or more of the distal arm portions which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the arm portions of the subject 106.
  • the electronic panel 102 can include a laterally elongated portion 110, 112, which circumferentially wraps around a distal portion of one or both of the arm portions of the subject 106.
  • the laterally elongated portion 110 extends around more than half of the arm portion as illustrated and in other embodiments the laterally elongated portion 112 extends around less than half of the arm portion as illustrated.
  • the electronic panel 102 is attached to multiple panels by extending from a distal portion of a first leg portion 116 to a distal portion of a second leg portion 114.
  • the distal portion of the first leg portion 116 may be referred to herein as a first distal portion of a first leg portion 116
  • the distal portion of a second leg portion 114 may be referred to herein as a second distal portion of a second leg portion 114
  • distal leg portions 116, 114 may be referred to herein as distal leg portions 116, 114.
  • the electronic panel 102 can include a laterally elongated portion 114, 116 at one or more of the leg portions which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the leg portions of the subject 106.
  • the electronic panel 102 may, in some embodiments, provide a relatively tight fit around one or more legs of the subject 106, which can facilitate accurate readings by one or more of the sensors incorporated into the electronic panel 102, as discussed in more detail below.
  • the electronic panel 102 can include a laterally elongated portion 114, 116 arranged at a distance from one or more of the distal leg portions which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the leg portions of the subject 106. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 102 can include a laterally elongated portion 114, 116 which circumferentially wraps around a distal portion of one or both of the leg portions of the subject 106.
  • the electronic panel 102 includes a substrate 118 and an electrically conductive wire 120.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 can include multiple electrically conductive wires 120, such as for example ribbon-type or bundled or twisted multiconductor wires.
  • the wire may be extensible (e.g., define a serpentine path in two or more of x, y and z directions with respect to a plane of the substrate) to accommodate flexibility and/or stretching of the substrate.
  • the substrate118 and the electrically conductive wire 120 can partially or fully span the electronic panel 102. Accordingly, the electrically conductive wire 120 can be adjacent to multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, B’, and/or B”) and provide an electrical connection at various portions of the garment.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be positioned and/or attached on or adjacent the surface of the substrate, within the thickness of the substrate, or within a tunnel or channel of the substrate 118. Additionally, the substrate 118 may be water resistant.
  • the electronic panel 102 can retain conductive performance over a range of stretch and/or flex, thereby reducing the likelihood the electronic panel 102 becomes inoperable due to the stretching and/or flexing of the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 102 can have negligible resistance change when stretched up to 50% strain of the original, relaxed configuration of the electronic panel 102.
  • Stress as defined herein, is meant to denote the extension of the substrate 118 relative to its original, relaxed configuration.
  • the electronic panel 102 has negligible resistance change when stretched up to 100% strain or even over 100% strain.
  • the electronic panel 102 is more stretchable than the garment 104 into which the electronic panel 102 is incorporated.
  • the term “electrically conductive wire” as used herein is meant to describe a structure that provides a continuous line or continuous pathway that is able to conduct electrons therethrough.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 is formed independently and separately from the substrate 118, and is attached to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 includes insulating or non-conducting regions, such as for example dielectric coatings.
  • Conventional or otherwise known wire suitable for applications of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104 can be used as the electrically conductive wire 120.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be attached onto an outer surface of the substrate 118 and/or woven or otherwise incorporated into the thickness, or on or adjacent a surface of the substrate 118.
  • suitable substrates include woven, knitted or nonwoven textile substrates made from natural or synthetic fibers, filaments, yams or any combination thereof.
  • the textile substrate may be produced from natural materials such as for example wool, cotton, silk, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, cellulose.
  • the textile substrate may be produced from polymeric materials, optionally one or more of silicone; polyurethanes; polyesters, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrim ethylene terephthalate and/or poly butylene terephthalate; polyamide, for exam pie, nylon 6, nylon 6,6; polyaramids, for exam pie, NOM EX® aramid or KEVLAR® aram id, acrylic; fluoropolymers, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE); acrylates; methacrylates; polyethers; polyesteramides, polyetheramides; polyetheresters; polyetherurethanes; polyesterurethanes; or polyetheresterurethanes; or copolymers, blends or multilayer laminates thereof.
  • silicone polyurethanes
  • polyesters for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrim ethylene terephthalate and/or poly butylene terephthalate
  • the textile substrates can be flexible, elastic (stretch > 5% and recovery > 90% up to ⁇ 100% and > 80% recovery) and/or they may be breathable, having a moisture vapor transmission rate of >1000 g/m2/day and ⁇ 50,000 g/m2/day (MVTR test disclosed in DIN EN ISO 15496 (2004)).
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be attached onto an outer surface of a substrate 118 comprising a film or membrane.
  • suitable film or membrane substrates 118 include natural materials such as leather or fur, or polymeric materials, optionally one or more of silicone; polyurethanes; polyesters, for exam pie, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrim ethylene terephthalate and/or polybutylene terephthalate; polyamide, for example, nylon 6, nylon 6,6; polyaramids, for example, NOM EX® aramid or KEVLAR® aramid, acrylic; fluoropolymers, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE); acrylates; methacrylates; polyethers; polyesteramides, polyetheramides; polyetheresters; polyetherurethanes; polyesterurethanes; or polyetheresterurethanes; or copolymers, blends or multilayer laminates thereof.
  • the film or membrane substrates can be flexible, elastic (stretch > 5% and recovery > 90% up to ⁇ 100% and > 80% recovery) and/or they may be breathable, having a moisture vapor transmission rate of >1000 g/m2/day and ⁇ 50,000 g/m2/day (MVTR test disclosed in DIN EN ISO 15496 (2004)).
  • Elastic embodiments of the substrate 118 can have greater than or equal to 5% stretch with at least 90% recovery. In other embodiments, the elastic substrate may have less than or equal to 100% stretch with at least 80% recovery.
  • Embodiments of the textile substrate 118 are woven, knitted or nonwoven textiles comprised of interlaced filamentary structures such yams, threads or fibers. Conventional or otherwise known weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, tatting, felting, banding or braiding processes are nonlimiting examples of methods that may be used to produce the material of the textile embodiments of substrate 118.
  • the conductive wire 120 may be attached to the outer surface of the substrate 118 to form the electronic panel 102.
  • the substrate 118 is flat (/.e., planar) and contains no wrinkles when the electrically conductive wire 120 is applied.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be attached such that the electrically conductive wire 120 is positioned on at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate 118 to form the electronic panel 102.
  • Embodiments include adhesive to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 120 to the substrate 118 (e.g., the adhesive is located between the electrically conductive wire and the substrate 118).
  • Conventional or otherwise known adhesives suitable for the application of the panel 102 and garment 104, and the substrate 118 and electrically conductive wire 120 can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Nonlimiting examples of such adhesives include polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, epoxy, acrylate, methacrylates.
  • the adhesive attaching the electrically conductive wire 120 to substrate 118 is located at discrete locations spaced apart from one another along a length of the electrically conductive wire. In other embodiments the adhesive extends continuously along the length of the electrically conductive wire 120 attached to the substrate 118.
  • embodiments include potting to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 120 to the substrate 118 (e.g., the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate).
  • the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Conventional or otherwise known potting materials suitable for the application of the panel 102 and garment 104, and the substrate 118 and electrically conductive wire 120 can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Nonlimiting examples of such potting materials include the adhesives described above.
  • the potting material attaching the electrically conductive wire 120 to substrate 118 is located at discrete locations spaced apart from one another along a length of the electrically conductive wire. In other embodiments the potting material extends continuously along the length of the electrically conductive wire 120 attached to the substrate 118.
  • embodiments include stitching to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 120 to the substrate 118.
  • filaments such as threads or wires can be wrapped over and around the electrically conductive wire and into or through the substrate by conventional or otherwise known stitching approaches.
  • embodiments include other mechanical structures such as staples to fasten the conductive wire 120 to the substrate 118.
  • embodiments include a layer of material defining a channel or tunnel with the substrate 118 to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 120 to the substrate 118.
  • the layer of material may overlay all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 120 and at least portions of the substrate 118, and be attached to the substrate to secure, retain or hold the electrically conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 is sandwiched between the substrate 118 and the layer of material in these embodiments, and extends along the tunnel.
  • the layer of material may be any material suitable for the application of the panel 102 and garment 104, and may for example be the same material as the material of the substrate 118.
  • materials different than that of the substrate 118 may be used as the overlaying layer of material.
  • Methods such as for example those using adhesives, stitching or mechanical fasteners such as staples or rivets suitable for the application of the panel 102 and garment 104 may be used to attach the overlaying layer of material to the substrate 118 (e.g., at locations on the sides of the electrically conductive wire 120).
  • embodiments include a channel or tunnel formed from the substrate 118 to attach the conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the tunnel may be formed by a portion of the substrate 118 that is extended over other portions of the substrate (e.g., the portion comprises at least two layer of the substrate), and attached to the substrate (e.g., by stitching).
  • an edge of the substrate 118 may be folded over adjacent portions of the substrate, and the edge attached to the substrate (e.g., by stitching) to define the tunnel.
  • the tunnel may be formed in the substrate during the weaving of other formation of the substrate (e.g., the tunnel is effectively unitary with the substrate).
  • the conductive wire 120 is located within and extends along or through the tunnel, and is thereby retained on the substrate 118.
  • all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 120 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the material of the substrate 118 (e.g., located within the thickness of the substrate or on or adjacent a surface of the substrate) to attach the electrically conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into a textile substrate 118 during the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the substrate 118 after the fabrication of the substrate.
  • “attached to” means that an electrically conductive wire 120 that is manufactured separately from the substrate 118 is joined to (e.g., on or adjacent a surface of and/or within the thickness of) or otherwise held or retained on the substrate (e.g., in a channel or tunnel on the substrate).
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 is “attached to” the substrate 118 by processes that occur after and/or during the fabrication of the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may have characteristics that provide it with extensibility (e.g., to be effectively eiongated) when portions of the substrate to which it is attached stretch and/or flex.
  • the conductive wire 120 may define a zig-zag, sinusoidal or other serpentine path to effectively elongate and accommodate stretch and/or flex of the substrate 118 to which it is attached.
  • the zigzag, sinusoidal, or other serpentine path may comprise the conductive wires with predictable and/or repeatable spacing and/or curvature. The curvature may be larger than the minimum bend radius of the conductive wire.
  • FIG. 6A illustrates a portion of a knitted textile substrate 600 including fibers 602 and 604 and a plurality of electrically conductive wires 606 (four are shown for purposes of example) extending about or defining sinusoidal paths.
  • the sinusoidal paths of the wires 606 shown in FIG. 6A are oriented about the x-y plane of the substrate 600, and are generally located on the surface of the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wires 606 are attached to the substrate 600 by certain fibers 604 of the substrate that overlay portions of the conductive wires.
  • Conductive wires 606 may, for example, be attached to the substrate 600 during the process by which the substrate 600 is knitted. Because of their serpentine nature, conductive wires 606 are effectively extensible and bendable, and may elongate and bend to accommodate stretching and/or flexing of the substrate 600 to which they are attached.
  • FIG. 6B illustrates a portion of a substrate 610 having a coiled conductive wire 616 attached to the substrate.
  • the coiled conductive wire 616 is attached to the substrate 610 by a tunnel 615 on the substrate.
  • the exemplary tunnel 615 is formed by an edge 618 of the substrate 610 that is folded over adjacent portions of the substrate and attached to the substrate, e.g., by stitching 617.
  • Coiled conductive wire 616 defines a serpentine path oriented about the x-y plane and the z-height direction of the substrate 610. Because of its coiled serpentine nature, conductive wire 616 is effectively extensible and bendable, and may elongate and bend to accommodate stretching and/or flexing of the substrate 610 to which it is attached.
  • the electronic panel 102 may be a multi-layer panel comprising, in addition to the substrate 118, one or more of textile, film, a combination or a laminate thereof.
  • the electronic panel 102 may be a multi-layer laminate comprising an outer textile layer (i.e., the layer that faces the exterior when the laminate is made into a garment), optionally, one or more middle layers, and an inner textile layer (i.e., the layer that is interior facing and/or bodycontacting when the laminate is made into a garment).
  • the middle layer can be a film layer, which may be a microporous layer
  • the middle layer can be a textile layer or a combination or one or more films and one or more textile layers.
  • the electrically conductive wire 120 may be attached to any of the layers.
  • the electronic panel 102 may be a two-layer laminate comprising an outer film layer (exterior facing) and an inner textile layer (interior facing and/or body contacting) wherein the electrically conductive wire 120 is attached to the outer film layer or is sandwiched between the outer film layer and the inner textile layer.
  • one or more electronic components 122 are electrically coupled to the electrically conductive wire 120, which can then be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing (e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with the subject 106 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processing data, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronic panel 102 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like).
  • Examples of electronic components 122 include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, a power supply, a power switch, a sensor, an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface, a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a temperature regulating device, e.g., heating and/or cooling device, an accelerometer, a strain gauge, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, an ECG sensor, an E MG sensor, a charger, or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more electronic components 122 can be electrically coupled together via the electrically conductive wire 120.
  • an electronic component 122A located on a first arm 110 and the electronic component 122B located on a second arm 112 can be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductive wire 120.
  • an electronic component 122C located on a first leg 114 and the electronic component 122D located on a second leg 1146 can be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductive wire 120.
  • one or more of the electronic components 122 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 102 via an electrical connection 124.
  • one or more of the electronic components 122 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it is desirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 122 and/or one of the electronic components 122 fails.
  • the electrical connection 124 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104, e.g., a zipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or a combination thereof.
  • the electronic panel 102 and/or the garment 104 can include one or more housings 126 one or more of the electronic components 122.
  • the housing 126 can be located: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 110, 112, 114, and/or 116) as shown by housing 126A and/or arranged away from a distal portion of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104 as shown by housing 126B.
  • the housing 126 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104, e.g., a collar.
  • data can be transmitted from the electronic panel 102 and/or the electronic component 122 to one or more computing devices 128 (e.g., a laptop and/or desktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or more computing devices 128 to the electronic panel 102 and/or the electronic component 122 via a communication link (not shown).
  • the computing devices 128 can process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 102 and/or the electronic component 122.
  • data can be sent to and received from one or more servers 130 via a communication link and network 132, which can then process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 102 and/or the electronic component 122.
  • the data sensed and/or collected by electronic panel 102 and processed by the electronic panel 102 and/or by the computing device 128 and/or server 130 may facilitate determining various biometrics parameters for the subject.
  • the data collected and/or sensed by the electronic panel may indicate how often the subject 106 is moving in a particular manner.
  • the data collected by electronic panel 102 can be used to determine whether the subject 106 is moving in a manner that is likely to lead to injury and/or is moving in a manner that indicates the subject 106 is operating at a reduced capacity.
  • determining whether the subject 106 is moving in a manner that is likely to lead to injury and/or is moving in a manner that indicates the subject 106 is operating at a reduced capacity may be based upon comparing the movement data of the subject 106 to movement data from other healthy subjects. And, if the movement data of the subject 106 varies from the movement data from other healthy subjects by a threshold, the electronic panel 102, the computing device 128, and/or server 130 may determine the subject 106 is moving in a manner that is likely to lead to injury and/or is moving in a manner that indicates the subject 106 is operating at a reduced capacity
  • a notification can be provided to the subject 106 via a user interface of the electronic panel 102, the computing device 128 and/or server 130 about how the subject 106 is moving, how often the subject 106 is moving in a particular manner, and/or whether the frequency of the movement and/or manner of movement has or will lead to injury.
  • the data collected and/or sensed by the electronic panel may indicate one or more biometric parameters, for exam pie, the temperature of the subject 106, the pulse rate of the subject 106, the blood pressure of the subject 106, the oxygen saturation of the subject 106, other cardiac and/or respiratory parameters of the subject 106.
  • biometric parameters for exam pie
  • the temperature of the subject 106 the pulse rate of the subject 106
  • the blood pressure of the subject 106 the oxygen saturation of the subject 106
  • other cardiac and/or respiratory parameters of the subject 106 other cardiac and/or respiratory parameters of the subject 106.
  • notifications pertaining to any of these parameters can be provided to the subject 106 via a user interface of the electronic panel 102, the computing device 128 and/or server 130.
  • the communication link may be, or include, a wired link (e.g., a link accomplished via a physical connection) and/or a wireless communication link such as, for exam pie, a short-range radio link, such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 , near-field communication (NFC), WiFi, a proprietary wireless protocol, and/or the like.
  • a short-range radio link such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 , near-field communication (NFC), WiFi, a proprietary wireless protocol, and/or the like.
  • the term "communication link” may refer to an ability to communicate some type of information in at least one direction between at least two devices, and should not be understood to be limited to a direct, persistent, or otherwise limited communication channel. That is, according to embodiments, the communication link may be a persistent communication link, an intermittent communication link, an ad-hoc communication link, and/or the like.
  • the communication link may refer to direct communications between the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130, and/or indirect communications that travel between the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130 via at least one other device (e.g., a repeater, router, hub, and/or the like).
  • the communication link may facilitate uni-directional and/or bidirectional communication between the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130.
  • Data and/or control signals may be transmitted between the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130 to coordinate the functions of the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130.
  • data may be downloaded from one or more of the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130 periodically or on command.
  • the subject may communicate with the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130, for exam pie, to acquire data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 102 and/or the electronic component 122, or to initiate, terminate and/or modify recording and/or therapy.
  • FIGS. 9-10B Additional details regarding the computing devices 128 and the server 130 are provided in FIGS. 9-10B below.
  • FIGS. 2A-B is an example of an electronic panel 202 incorporated into a garment 204.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates the back of the garment 204 including a portion of the electronic panel 202
  • FIG. 2B illustrates the front of the garment 204 including another portion of the electronic panel 202.
  • FIG. 3 is an example of the electronic panel 202 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-B decoupled from the garment 204, according to at least one embodiment.
  • the electronic panel 202 can have the same or similar characteristics as the electronic panel 102 and/or the garment 204 can have the same or similar characteristics as the garment 104.
  • the electronic panel 202 and/or the garment 204 can include a textile or other material substrate with an electrically conductive wire attached thereto, which independently may or may not have some degree of elasticity, or a laminate thereof.
  • the garment 204 can be a long sleeve shirt and includes multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’, A”, and/or A’”). Similar to the electronic panel 102, the electronic panel 202 can be a unitary panel that, along with panel pieces A’, A”, A’”, form the garment 204. In these embodiments, the electronic panel 202 is attached to one or more panels pieces A’, A”, A’” at or near the perimeter of each panel piece and forms a portion of the garment 204. In aspects, individual panel pieces A’, A”, A’” and the electronic panel 202 that form the garment 204 may be attached to each other by a seam.
  • panel pieces A’, A”, A’” and the electronic panel 202 that form the garment 204 may be attached to each other by a seam.
  • the electronic panel 202 can be coupled to the individual panel pieces by at least one seam 206 that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the electronic panel 202. Because the electronic panel 202 can be unitary and is attached to more than one panel piece A’, A”, and/or A’” of the garment 204, electrical connections coupling electronic panels that are associated with each panel piece A’, A”, and/or A’” are not required.
  • An electrically conductive wire (e.g., the electrically conductive wire 218 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple portions of the garment 204, for example, adjacent to panel pieces A’, A”, and/or A’”, by extending along a portion of a length of the electronic panel 202 and/or along an entirety of the length of the electronic panel 202. Additionally, or alternatively, an electrically conductive wire (e.g., the electrically conductive wire 218 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple panel pieces A’, A”, and/or A’” by extending along a portion of a width of the electronic panel 202 and/or along an entirety of the width of the electronic panel 202. As such, the electronic panel 202 and the functionality thereof can be associated with multiple panel pieces A’, A”, and/or A’”.
  • the electronic panel 202 can be an electronic panel that is devoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to more than one panel piece A’, A”, and/or A’” of the garment 204.
  • the electronic panel 202 is devoid of any seams extending laterally across a portion of the electronic panel 202, i.e., extending across a portion of the width of the electronic panel 202.
  • the electronic panel 202 is devoid of any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of the electronic panel 202, i.e., extending across a portion of the length of the electronic panel 202.
  • the electronic panel 202 is sewn, applied, and/or adhered to the other panel pieces A’, A”, A’” to form the garment 204.
  • the electronic panel 202 is attached to multiple panels A’, A”, A’” by extending from a first appendage of the garment 204 to a second appendage of the garment 204, for example a distal portion of a first arm portion 208 to a distal portion of a second arm portion 210.
  • the distal portion of the first arm portion 208 may be referred to herein as a first distal portion of a first arm portion 208
  • the distal portion of a second arm portion 210 may be referred to herein as a second distal portion of a second arm portion 210
  • distal arm portions 208, 210 collectively, the distal portion of the first arm portion 208 and the distal portion of a second arm portion 210 may be referred to herein as distal arm portions 208, 210.
  • the electronic panel 202 can include a laterally elongated portion 212 at one or more of the distal arm portions 208, 210, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the distal arm portions 208, 210.
  • the laterally elongated portion 212 may form a cuff of the garment 204.
  • the electronic panel 202 may be provide a relatively tight fit around one or more arms of the wearer of the garment 204, which can facilitate accurate readings by one or more sensors incorporated into the electronic panel 202.
  • the electronic panel 202 can include a laterally elongated portion 212 arranged at a distance from one or more of the distal arm portions 208, 210, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the arm portions of a wearer of the garment 204. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 202 can include a laterally elongated portion 212 which circumferentially wraps around a portion of a wearer of the garment 204 other than one or both of the arm portions of a wearer of the garment 204.
  • the electronic panel 202 extends from a back central portion 214” of the garment 204 to the distal portion of the first arm 208 and/or to the distal portion of the second arm 210. Due to the electronic panel 202 extending from a central portion 214” of the garment 204 to one or more distal arm portions 208, 210, the electronic panel 202 may be able to better sense movement of a wearer’s arm(s) in relation to the wearer’s torso, which can better indicate whether the user is likely to be injured and/or the user’s movement is compensating for an injury. Additionally, or alternatively, by being located proximal to a central portion 214” of the garment 204, more accurate biometric readings may be taken, such as pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and/or other cardiac and/or respiratory parameters.
  • the electronic panel 202 includes a substrate 216 and an electrically conductive wire 218 attached to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 218 can include multiple electrically conductive wires 218, such as for example a multi-conductor ribbon cable or a bundled or twisted multiconductor cable.
  • the substrate 216 and the electrically conductive wire 218 can partially or fully span the electronic panel 202. Accordingly, the electrically conductive wire 218 can be adjacent to multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’, A”, and/or A’”) and provide an electrical connection at various portions of the garment.
  • Embodiments include adhesive to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 218 to the substrate 216 (e.g., the adhesive is located between the electrically conductive wire and the substrate).
  • Conventional or otherwise known adhesives suitable for the application of the panel 202 and garment 204, and the substrate 216 and electrically conductive wire 218, can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Nonlimiting examples of such adhesives include polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, epoxy, acrylate or methacrylate.
  • embodiments include potting to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 218 to the substrate 216 (e.g., the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate).
  • the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Conventional or otherwise known potting materials suitable for the application of the panel 202 and garment 204, and the substrate 216 and electrically conductive wire 218, can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Nonlimiting examples of such potting materials include the adhesives described above.
  • embodiments include stitching to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 218 to the substrate 216.
  • filaments such as threads or wires can be wrapped over and around the electrically conductive wire and into or through the substrate by conventional or otherwise known stitching approaches.
  • embodiments include other mechanical structures such as staples to fasten the conductive wire 218 to the substrate 216.
  • embodiments include a layer of material to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 218 to the substrate 216.
  • the layer of material may overlay all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 218 and at least portions of the substrate 216, and be attached to the substrate, to secure the electrically conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the layer of material and the substrate may define a channel or tunnel to attach the conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 218 extends through the tunnel, and is sandwiched between the substrate 216 and the layer of material in these embodiments.
  • the layer of material may be any material suitable for the application of the panel 202 and garment 204, and may for example be the same material as the material of the substrate 216.
  • materials different than that of the substrate 216 such as for example films or microporous membranes or textiles, may be used as the overlaying layer of material.
  • Methods such as for example those using adhesives, stitching or mechanical fasteners such as staples or rivets suitable for the application of the panel 202 and garment 204 may be used to attach the overlaying layer of material to the substrate 216.
  • all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 218 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the material of the textile substrate 216 (e.g., located within the thickness of and/or on the surface of the textile substrate) to attach the electrically conductive wire to the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 218 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the textile substrate 216 during the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 218 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the textile substrate 216 after the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • “attached to” means that an electrically conductive wire 218 that is manufactured separately from the substrate 216 is joined or otherwise retained or held to (e.g., on or adjacent a surface of and/or within the thickness of) the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 218 is “attached to” the substrate 216 by processes that occur after and/or during the fabrication of the substrate.
  • one or more electronic components 220 are electrically coupled to the electrically conductive wire 218, which can then be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing (e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of the garment 204 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processing data, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronic panel 202 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like).
  • sensing e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of the garment 204 that can be stored as data
  • collecting data processing data
  • storing data transmitting data
  • providing a user interface e.g., a touch screen, a microphone
  • feedback e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like.
  • Examples of electronic components 220 include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, a power supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 220A), a sensor (e.g., sensor 220B), an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 220C), a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a charger, or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more electronic components 220 can be electrically coupled together via the electrically conductive wire 218.
  • a power switch e.g., power switch 220A
  • a sensor e.g., sensor 220B
  • an electronic circuit e.g., an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 220C), a remote control, a display device, a touch screen
  • the electronic component 220C is located at a first distal portion of a first arm 208 and the electronic component 220B is located at on a portion of the second arm, they can be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductive wire 218.
  • one or more of the electronic components 220 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 202 via an electrical connection 222. As such, one or more of the electronic components 220 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it is desirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 220 and/or one of the electronic components 220 fails.
  • the electrical connection 222 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 202 and/or garment 204, e.g., a zipper, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a button, a pocket, or a combination thereof.
  • the electronic panel 202 and/or the garment 204 can include one or more housing 224 for housing one or more of the electronic components 220.
  • the housing 224 can be located: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 202 and/or garment 204 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 208 and/or 210) as shown by housing 224A and/or arranged away from a distal portion of the electronic panel 202 and/or a distal portion of garment 204 as shown by housing 224B.
  • the housing 224 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 202 and/or garment 204, e.g., a collar.
  • data can be transmitted from the electronic panel 202 and/or the electronic component 220 to one or more computing devices (e.g., a laptop and/or desktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or more computing devices to the electronic panel 202 and/or the electronic component 220 via a communication link (not shown).
  • the computing devices can process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 202 and/or the electronic component 220.
  • data can be sent to and received from one or more servers (e.g., server 130) via a communication link and network (e.g., network 132), which can then process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 202 and/or the electronic component 220.
  • servers e.g., server 130
  • network e.g., network 132
  • FIGS. 4A-B is another example of an electronic panel 302 incorporated into a garment 304, according to at least one embodiment.
  • the electronic panel 302 can have the same or similar characteristics as the electronic panel 102 and/or 202 and/or the garment 304 can have the same or similar characteristics as the garment 104 and/or 204.
  • the electronic panel 302 and/or the garment 304 can include a textile or other material substrate 316 with an electrically conductive wire 318 attached thereto, which independently may or may not have some degree of elasticity, or a laminate thereof.
  • the garment 304 is a pair of pants and includes multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’ and/or A”). Similar to the electronic panels 102 and/or 202, the electronic panel 302 can be a unitary panel that, along with panels A’, A”, form the garment 304. In these embodiments, the electronic panel 302 is attached to one or more panels pieces A’, A” at or near the perimeter of each panel piece and forms a portion of the garment 304. In aspects, individual panel pieces A’, A” and the electronic panel 302 that form the garment 304 may be attached to each other by a seam.
  • panel pieces A’ and/or A may be attached to each other by a seam.
  • the electronic panel 302 can be coupled to the individual panel pieces by at least one seam 306 that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the electronic panel 302. Because the electronic panel 302 can be unitary and is attached to more than one panel piece A’ and/or A” of the garment 304, electrical connections coupling electronic panels that are associated with each panel piece A’ and/or A” are not required.
  • An electrically conductive wire e.g., the electrically conductive wire 318 discussed below
  • an electrically conductive wire e.g., the electrically conductive wire 318 discussed below
  • an electrically conductive wire can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple panel pieces A’ and/or A” by extending along a portion of a width of the electronic panel 302 and/or along an entirety of the width of the electronic panel 302.
  • the electronic panel 302 and the functionality thereof can be associated adjacent to multiple panel pieces A’ and/or A”.
  • the electronic panel 302 can be an electronic panel that is devoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to more than one panel piece A’ and/or A” of the garment 304.
  • the electronic panel 302 is devoid of any seams extending laterally across a portion of the electronic panel 302, i.e. , extending across a portion of the width of the electronic panel 302.
  • the electronic panel 302 is devoid of any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of the electronic panel 302, i.e., extending across a portion of the length of the electronic panel 302.
  • the electronic panel 302 is sewn, applied, and/or adhered to other panel pieces A’, A” to form the garment 304.
  • the electronic panel 302 is attached to multiple panels by extending from a distal portion of a first leg portion 308 to a distal portion of a second leg portion 310.
  • the distal portion of the first leg portion 308 may be referred to herein as a first distal portion of a first leg portion 308, the distal portion of a second leg portion 310 may be referred to herein as a second distal portion of a second leg portion 310, and, collectively, the distal portion of the first leg portion 308 and the distal portion of a second leg portion 310 may be referred to herein as distal leg portions 308, 310.
  • the electronic panel 302 can include a laterally elongated portion 312A at one or more of the distal leg portions 308, 310, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the distal leg portions 308, 310.
  • the laterally elongated portion 312A may form a leg cuff of the garment 304.
  • the electronic panel 302 may provide a relatively tight fit around one or more legs of the wearer of the garment 304, which can facilitate accurate readings by one or more sensors incorporated into the electronic panel 302.
  • the electronic panel 302 can include a laterally elongated portion 312B arranged at a distance from one or more of the distal leg portions 308, 310, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the leg portions of a wearer of the garment 304. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 302 can include a laterally elongated portion 312 which circumferentially wraps around a portion of a wearer of the garment 304 other than one or both of the leg portions of a wearer of the garment 304.
  • the electronic panel 302 extends from a back central portion 314’ (and/or a front central portion 314”) of the garment 304 to the distal portion of the first leg 308 and/or to the distal portion of the second leg 310. Due to the electronic panel 302 extending from a central portion 314 of the garment 304 to one or more distal leg portions 308, 310, the electronic panel 302 may be able to better sense movement of a wearer’s leg(s) in relation to the wearer’s hips, which can better indicate whether the user is likely to be injured and/or the user’s movement is compensating for an injury. Additionally, or alternatively, by being located proximal to a central portion 314 of the garment 304, more accurate physiological parameters may be sensed.
  • the electronic panel 302 includes a substrate 316, which may be a textile or other material, and an electrically conductive wire 318 attached to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 318 can include multiple electrically conductive wires 318, such as for example a multi-conductor ribbon cable or a bundled or twisted multi-conductor cable.
  • the electrically conductive wire 318 may define a serpentine path, such as for example a sinusoidal or coiled path.
  • the substrate 316 and the electrically conductive wire 318 can partially or fully span the electronic panel 302. Accordingly, the electrically conductive wire 318 can be adjacent to multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’ and/or A”) and provide an electrical connection at various portions of the garment.
  • Embodiments include adhesive to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 318 to the substrate 316 (e.g., the adhesive is located between the electrically conductive wire and the substrate).
  • Conventional or otherwise known adhesives suitable for the application of the panel 302 and garment 304, and the substrate 316 and electrically conductive wire 318, including for exam pie those described above, can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • embodiments include potting to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 318 to the substrate 316 (e.g., the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate).
  • the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Conventional or otherwise known potting materials suitable for the application of the panel 302 and garment 304, and the substrate 316 and electrically conductive wire 318 can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Nonlimiting examples of such potting materials include the adhesives described above.
  • embodiments include stitching to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 318 to the substrate 316.
  • filaments such as threads or wires can be wrapped over and around the electrically conductive wire and into or through the substrate by conventional or otherwise known stitching approaches.
  • embodiments include other mechanical structures such as staples to fasten the conductive wire 318 to the substrate 316.
  • embodiments include a layer of material to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 318 to the substrate 316.
  • the layer of material may overlay all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 318 and at least portions of the substrate 316 and be attached to the substrate to define a channel or tunnel, to secure the electrically conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 318 extends between, and is sandwiched between the substrate 316 and the layer of material in these embodiments (e.g., through the tunnel).
  • the layer of material may be any material suitable for the application of the panel 302 and garment 304, and may for example be the same material as the material of the substrate 316.
  • materials different than that of the substrate 316 such as for example films or microporous membranes or textiles, may be used as the overlaying layer of material.
  • Methods such as for example those using adhesives, stitching or mechanical fasteners such as staples or rivets suitable for the application of the panel 302 and garment 304 may be used to attach the overlaying layer of material to the substrate 316.
  • the substrate 316 is a textile
  • all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 318 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the material of the textile substrate 316 (e.g., located within the thickness of and/or on the surface of the textile substrate) to attach the electrically conductive wire to the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 318 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the textile substrate 316 during the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 318 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the textile substrate 316 after the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • “attached to” means that an electrically conductive wire 318 that is manufactured separately from the substrate 316 is joined, retained or held to (e.g., on or adjacent a surface of and/or or within the thickness of) the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 318 is “attached to” the substrate 316 by processes that occur after and/or during the fabrication of the substrate.
  • one or more electronic components 320 are electrically coupled to the electrically conductive wire 318, which can then be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing (e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of the garment 304 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processing data, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronic panel 302 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like).
  • sensing e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of the garment 304 that can be stored as data
  • collecting data processing data
  • storing data storing data
  • transmitting data providing power to the electronic panel 302 and its components
  • providing a user interface e.g., a touch screen, a microphone
  • feedback e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like.
  • Examples of electronic components 320 include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, a power supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 320A), a sensor (e.g., sensors 320B and/or 320C), an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 320D), a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a charger, or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more electronic components 320 can be electrically coupled together via the electrically conductive wire 318.
  • a power switch e.g., power switch 320A
  • a sensor e.g., sensors 320B and/or 320C
  • an electronic circuit e.g., an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 320D), a
  • the electronic component 320B is located at a first distal portion of a first leg 308 and the electronic component 320C is located at on a portion of the second leg 310, they can be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductive wire 318.
  • one or more of the electronic components 320 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 302 via an electrical connection 322. As such, one or more of the electronic components 320 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it is desirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 320 and/or one of the electronic components 320 fails. In some embodiments, the one or more electronic components 320 are releasably coupled to the electronic panel 302 via a male/female connector.
  • the electrical connection 322 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 302 and/or garment 304, e.g., a zipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or a combination thereof.
  • the electronic panel 302 and/or the garment 304 can include one or more housings 324 for one or more of the electronic components 320.
  • the compartment 324 can be located: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 302 and/or garment 304 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 308 and/or 310) and/or arranged away from a distal portion of the electronic panel 302 and/or a distal portion of garment 304 as shown by housing 324.
  • the housing 324 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 302 and/or garment 304, e.g., a waist band.
  • data can be transmitted from the electronic panel 302 and/or the electronic component 320 to one or more computing devices (e.g., a laptop and/or desktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or more computing devices to the electronic panel 302 and/or the electronic component 320 via a communication link (not shown).
  • the computing devices can process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 302 and/or the electronic component 320.
  • data can be sent to and received from one or more servers (e.g., server 130) via a communication link and network (e.g., network 132), which can then process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 302 and/or the electronic component 320.
  • servers e.g., server 130
  • network e.g., network 132
  • FIGS. 5A-B is yet another example of an electronic panel 402 incorporated into a garment 404, according to at least one embodiment.
  • the electronic panel 402 can have the same or similar characteristics as the electronic panel 102, 202, and/or 302 and/or the garment 404 can have the same or similar characteristics as the garment 104, 204, and/or 304.
  • the electronic panel 402 and/or the garment 404 can include a substrate 416 of textile or other material and an electrically conductive wire 418 attached thereto, which independently may or may not have some degree of elasticity, or a laminate thereof.
  • the garment 404 is a one-piece coverall garment and includes multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’, A”).
  • a one-piece coverall garment means a single garment comprising a trouser-like portion and a top portion with or without long sleeves.
  • the electronic panel 402 can be a unitary panel that, along with, for exam pie, panels A’, A”, form the garment 404.
  • the electronic panel 402 is attached to one or more panels pieces, for example, A’, A” at or near the perimeter of each panel piece and forms a portion of the garment 404.
  • individual panel pieces A’, A” and the electronic panel 402 that form the garment 404 may be attached to each other by a sewn seam.
  • the electronic panel 402 can be coupled to the individual panel pieces by at least one seam 406 that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the electronic panel 402. Because the electronic panel 402 can be unitary and is attached to more than one panel piece A’ and/or A” of the garment 404, electrical connections coupling electronic panels that are associated each panel piece A’, A” are not required.
  • An electrically conductive wire (e.g., the electrically conductive wire 418 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple panel pieces A’ and/or A’ by extending along a portion of a length of the electronic panel 402 and/or along an entirety of the length of the electronic panel 402. Additionally, or alternatively, an electrically conductive wire (e.g., the electrically conductive wire 418 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multiple panel pieces A’ and/or A” by extending along a portion of a width of the electronic panel 402 and/or along an entirety of the width of the electronic panel 402. As such, the electronic panel 402 and the functionality thereof can be associated adjacent to multiple panel pieces used to form the garment, for example, panel pieces A’ and/or A”.
  • the electronic panel 402 can be an electronic panel that is devoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to more than one panel piece A’ and/or A” of the garment 404.
  • the electronic panel 402 is devoid of any seams extending laterally across a portion of the electronic panel 402, i.e. , extending across a portion of the width of the electronic panel 402.
  • the electronic panel 402 is devoid of any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of the electronic panel 402, i.e., extending across a portion of the length of the electronic panel 402.
  • the electronic panel 402 is sewn, applied, and/or adhered to panel pieces A’, A” to form the garment 404.
  • the electronic panel 402 can span multiple panels and include a trunk extension portion 408 extending from the front or back trunk portion of the one-piece coverall garment 404 to at least one leg extension portion 411.
  • the leg extension portion 411 extends from a distal portion of the trunk extension portion 409 to a distal portion of at least one of a leg portion 410 of the one-piece garment 404.
  • the electronic panel 402 can include a laterally elongated portion 412A at one or more of a distal leg portions 410, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the distal leg portions 410.
  • the laterally elongated portion 412A may form a leg cuff of the garment 404.
  • the electronic panel 402 may be provide a relatively tight fit around one or more legs of the wearer of the garment 404, which can facilitate accurate readings by one or more sensors incorporated into the electronic panel 402.
  • the electronic panel 402 can include a laterally elongated portion 412B arranged at a distance from one or more of the distal leg portions 410, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the leg portions of a wearer of the garment 404. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 402 can include a laterally elongated portion 412C at one or more of the distal arm portions 413, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of the distal arm portions 413.
  • the electronic panel 402 can include a laterally elongated portion 412 which circumferentially wraps around a portion of a wearer of the garment 404 other than one or both of the leg portions and/or arm portions of a wearer of the garment 404.
  • the electronic panel 402 extends from a back central portion 414’ (and/or a front central portion 414” (not illustrated)) of the garment 404 to the one or more distal leg portions 410 and/or to one or more distal arm portions 413. Due to the electronic panel 402 extending from a central portion 414 of the garment 404 to one or more distal leg portions 410 and/or one or more distal arm portions 413, the electronic panel 402 may be able to better sense movement of a wearer’s leg(s) and/or arm(s) in relation to the wearer’s torso, which can better indicate whether the user is likely to be injured and/or the user’s movement is compensating for an injury. Additionally, or alternatively, by the electronic panel 402 being located proximal to a central portion 414 of the garment 404, more accurate physiological parameters may be sensed.
  • the electronic panel 402 includes a substrate 416 and an electrically conductive wire 418 attached to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 418 can include multiple electrically conductive wires 418, such as for example a multi-conductor ribbon cable or a bundled or twisted multiconductor cable.
  • the electrically conductive wire may define a serpentine path, such as for exam pie a sinusoidal or coiled path, to accommodate stretching and/or flexing of the substrate 416.
  • the substrate 416 and the electrically conductive wire 418 can partially or fully span the electronic panel 402. Accordingly, the electrically conductive wire 418 can be adjacent to multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A’ and/or A”) and provide an electrical connection at various portions of the garment.
  • Embodiments include adhesive to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 418 to the substrate 416 (e.g., the adhesive is located between the electrically conductive wire and the textile substrate).
  • adhesives suitable for the application of the panel 402 and garment 404, and the substrate 416 and electrically conductive wire 418, including those described above, can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • embodiments include potting to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 418 to the substrate 416 (e.g., the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate).
  • the potting material extends from on one or more of the sides or top of the electrically conductive wire onto the substrate to at least partially overcoat or encapsulate portions of the electrically conductive wire and adjacent portions of the substrate and thereby secure the wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Conventional or otherwise known potting materials suitable for the application of the panel 402 and garment 404, and the substrate 416 and electrically conductive wire 418 can be used to attach the electrically conductive wire to the surface of the substrate.
  • Nonlimiting examples of such potting materials include the adhesives described above.
  • embodiments include stitching to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 418 to the substrate 416.
  • filaments such as threads or wires can be wrapped over and around the electrically conductive wire and into or through the substrate by conventional or otherwise known stitching approaches.
  • embodiments include other mechanical structures such as staples to fasten the conductive wire 418 to the substrate 416.
  • embodiments include a layer of material to attach all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 418 to the substrate 416.
  • the layer of material may overlay all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 418 and at least portions of the substrate 416, and be attached to the textile substrate (e.g., to define a channel or tunnel), to secure the electrically conductive wire to the substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 418 extends through the tunnel, and is sandwiched between the substrate 416 and the layer of material in these embodiments.
  • the layer of material may be any material suitable for the application of the panel 402 and garment 404, and may for example be the same material as the material of the substrate 416.
  • materials different than that of the substrate 416 such as for example films or microporous membranes or textiles, may be used as the overlaying layer of material.
  • Methods such as for example those using adhesives, stitching or mechanical fasteners such as staples or rivets suitable for the application of the panel 402 and garment 404 may be used to attach the overlaying layer of material to the substrate 416.
  • all or portions of the electrically conductive wire 418 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the material of the textile substrate (e.g., located on a surface or within the thickness of the textile substrate) to attach the electrically conductive wire to the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 418 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the textile substrate 416 during the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 418 may be woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into the textile substrate 416 after the fabrication of the textile substrate.
  • “attached to” means that an electrically conductive wire 418 that is manufactured separately from the substrate 416 is joined to (e.g., on or adjacent a surface of and/or or within the thickness of), or otherwise held or retained on, the textile substrate.
  • the electrically conductive wire 418 is “attached to” the substrate 416 by processes that occur after and/or during the fabrication of the substrate.
  • one or more electronic components 420 are electrically coupled to the electrically conductive wire 418, which can then be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing (e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of the garment 404 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processing data, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronic panel 402 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like).
  • Examples of electronic components 420 include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, a power supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 420A), a sensor (e.g., sensors 420B and/or 420C), an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 420D), a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a charger, or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more electronic components 420 can be electrically coupled together via the electrically conductive wire 418.
  • a power switch e.g., power switch 420A
  • a sensor e.g., sensors 420B and/or 420C
  • an electronic circuit e.g., an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 420D), a
  • the electronic component 420B is located at a first distal portion of a first leg 410 and the electronic component 420C is located at on a portion of a first arm 413, they can be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductive wire 418.
  • one or more of the electronic components 420 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 402 via an electrical connection 422. As such, one or more of the electronic components 420 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it is desirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 420 and/or one of the electronic components 420 fails.
  • the electrical connection 422 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 402 and/or garment 404, e.g., a zipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or a combination thereof.
  • the electronic panel 402 and/or the garment 404 can include one or more housings 424 for one or more of the electronic components 420.
  • the housing 424 can be located: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 402 and/or garment 404 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 410 and/or 413) and/or arranged away from a distal portion of the electronic panel 402 and/or a distal portion of garment 404 as shown by housing 424.
  • the housing 424 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 402 and/or garment 404, e.g., a waist band, a collar, etc.
  • data can be transmitted from the electronic panel 402 and/or the electronic component 420 to one or more computing devices (e.g., a laptop and/or desktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or more computing devices to the electronic panel 402 and/or the electronic component 420 via a communication link (not shown).
  • the computing devices can process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 402 and/or the electronic component 420.
  • data can be sent to and received from one or more servers (e.g., server 130) via a communication link and network (e.g., network 132), which can then process and/or store data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 402 and/or the electronic component 420.
  • servers e.g., server 130
  • network e.g., network 132
  • FIG. 7A is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 700 including an exemplary textile substrate 701 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 707 and a single electrically conductive wire 702 attached to the textile substrate by adhesive 703.
  • the electrically conductive wire 702 is an insulated wire including an electrical conductor 704 and insulator 705. Other embodiments of the electrically conductive wire 702 are not insulated.
  • FIG. 7B is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 710 including an exemplary textile substrate 711 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 717 and a twisted or bundled multi-conductor 714 electrically conductive wire 712 attached to the textile substrate by adhesive 713.
  • FIG. 7C is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 720 including an exemplary textile substrate 721 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 727 and a ribbon-type multi-conductor 724 electrically conductive wire 722 attached to the textile substrate by adhesive 723.
  • Three conductors 724 encapsulated by insulator 725 are shown for purposes of example.
  • the insulator 725 may be a mass of dielectric material, or a woven or other dielectric material.
  • FIG. 7D is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 730 including an exemplary textile substrate 731 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 737 and an electrically conductive wire 732 attached to the textile substrate by potting 733.
  • the electrically conductive wire 732 is an insulated wire including an electrical conductor 734 and insulator 735.
  • Other embodiments of the electrically conductive wire 732 are not insulated.
  • Yet other embodiments include bundled or twisted multiconductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG. 7B, or ribbon-type multi-conductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG. 7C, or a conductive wire defining a serpentine path such as that shown in FIGS. 6A or 6B, attached to the textile substrate by potting such as 733.
  • FIG. 7E is a is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 740 including an exemplary textile substrate 741 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 747 and an electrically conductive wire 742 attached to the textile substrate by stitching 743.
  • the stitching 743 may comprise a plurality of a threads or other filamentary structures.
  • the electrically conductive wire 742 is an insulated wire including an electrical conductor 744 and insulator 745.
  • Other embodiments of the electrically conductive wire 742 are not insulated.
  • Yet other embodiments include bundled or twisted multiconductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 7F is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 750 including an exemplary textile substrate 751 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 757 and an electrically conductive wire 752 attached to the textile substrate by a layer of material 753 that overlays at least a portion of the conductive wire and at least portions of the textile substrate to define a channel or tunnel.
  • the illustrated embodiment includes adhesive 756 for attaching the layer of material 753 to the textile substrate 751 at the sides of the electrically conductive wire
  • the electrically conductive wire 752 is an insulated wire including an electrical conductor 754 and insulator 755.
  • Other embodiments of the electrically conductive wire 752 are not insulated.
  • Yet other embodiments include bundled or twisted multi-conductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG. 7B or ribbon-type multi-conductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG. 7C, or a conductive wire defining a serpentine path such as that shown in FIGS. 6A or 6B, attached to the textile substrate by a layer of material such as
  • FIG. 7G is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a portion of an electronic panel 760 including an exemplary textile substrate 761 comprised of thread or other filamentary strands 767 and one or more electrically conductive wires 762 (two are shown for purposes of example) woven, knitted or otherwise inserted into (e.g., attached to) the textile substrate (e.g., within the thickness of the material of the textile substrate).
  • the electrically conductive wires 762 are insulated wires including an electrical conductor 764 and insulator 765. Other embodiments of the electrically conductive wires 762 are not insulated.
  • Yet other embodiments include bundled or twisted multi-conductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG. 7B or ribbon-type multi-conductor electrically conductive wires such as that shown in FIG. 7C, or a conductive wire defining a serpentine path such as that shown in FIGS. 6A or 6B, inserted into and attached to the textile substrate 761.
  • an insulative overcoat may be applied over the electrically conductive wire to assist in protecting the electrically conductive wire from external elements, such as, but not limited to, abrasion.
  • materials used to insulate the electrically conductive wire include urethanes, acrylics, silicones, Styrene Isoprene Butadiene Block Copolymers, Viton FKM (a synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer), polyolefins, or fluoropolymers.
  • the conductive articles described herein may be highly flexible, having a flexibility of less than 0.1 grams force-cm2/cm as evidenced by the Kawabata test set forth below. Additionally, the conductive articles may be highly durable and are able to withstand multiple washings while still maintaining conductivity in the electronic panel. Further, the conductive articles may be highly stretchable, as defined by the Stretch v. Resistance test set forth herein. Also, the conductive articles also may be highly breathable, having an MVTR of at least 2,000 as evidenced by the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) test described herein.
  • MVTR Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating physical components (e.g., hardware) of a computing device, which may be incorporated into and/or communicatively coupled to an electronic panel as described herein (e.g., the electronic panel 102, 202, 302, 402, and/or 502).
  • the computing device components described below may be able to sense and/or process physiological data (e.g., movement data, pulse rate data, blood pressure data, oxygen saturation data and/or other cardiac and/or respiratory data).
  • physiological data e.g., movement data, pulse rate data, blood pressure data, oxygen saturation data and/or other cardiac and/or respiratory data.
  • the computing device 800 may include at least one processing unit 802 and a system memory 804.
  • system memory 804 may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile storage (e.g., random access memory), non-volatile storage (e.g., read-only memory), flash memory, or any combination of such memories.
  • volatile storage e.g., random access memory
  • non-volatile storage e.g., read-only memory
  • flash memory e.g., flash memory
  • the system memory 804 may include an operating system 805 and one or more, such as a sensing and processing component 820.
  • the operating system 805, for exam pie may be suitable for controlling the operation of the computing device 800.
  • embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, or any other application program and is not limited to any particular application or system.
  • This basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 8 by those components within a dashed line 808.
  • the computing device 800 may have additional features or functionality.
  • the computing device 800 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable). Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 8 by a removable storage device 809 and a non-removable storage device 810.
  • program modules 806 may perform processes including, but not limited to, the aspects, as described herein, e.g., the sensing aspects described in FIG. 1.
  • embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements or m icroprocessors.
  • embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced via a system -on-a-chip (SOC) where each or many of the components illustrated in FIG. 8 may be integrated onto a single integrated circuit.
  • SOC system -on-a-chip
  • Such an SOC device may include one or more processing units, graphics units, communications units, system virtualization units and various application functionality all of which are integrated (or “burned”) onto the chip substrate as a single integrated circuit.
  • the functionality, described herein, with respect to the capability of client to switch protocols may be operated via application-specific logic integrated with other components of the computing device 800 on the single integrated circuit (chip).
  • Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for exam pie, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies.
  • embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.
  • the computing device 800 may also have one or more input device(s) 812 such as visual image sensors, audio sensors, a sound or voice input device, a touch or swipe input device, etc.
  • the output device(s) 814 such as a display, speakers, etc. may also be included.
  • the aforementioned devices are examples and others may be used.
  • the computing device 800 may include one or more communication connections 816 allowing communications with other computing devices 850 (e.g., computing devices 128 and/or 130). Examples of suitable communication connections 816 include, but are not limited to, radio frequency (RF) transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver circuitry; universal serial bus (USB), parallel, and/or serial ports.
  • RF radio frequency
  • USB universal serial bus
  • the term computer readable media as used herein may include computer storage media.
  • Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, or program modules.
  • the system memory 804, the removable storage device 809, and the non-removable storage device 810 are all computer storage media examples (e.g., memory storage).
  • Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, optical storage, magnetic storage devices, or any other article of manufacture which can be used to store information and which can be accessed by the computing device 800. Any such computer storage media may be part of the computing device 800.
  • Computer storage media does not include a carrier wave or other propagated or modulated data signal.
  • Communication media may be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.
  • modulated data signal may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.
  • communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media.
  • RF radio frequency
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a mobile computing device 900, for example, a mobile telephone, a smart phone, wearable computer (such as a smart watch), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like, with which embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced.
  • the computing devices 128 and/or 130 may have some or all of the functionality of the mobile computing device 900.
  • some of the processing and/or storing of the physiological signals sensed by the electronic panel embodiments may be performed by the mobile computing device 900.
  • the mobile computing device 900 may transmit data to the electronic panel embodiments and/or provide a way for a subject (e.g., the subject 106) to interact with the electronic panel embodiments.
  • the mobile computing device 900 is a handheld computer having both input elements and output elements.
  • the mobile computing device 900 typically includes a display 905 and one or more input buttons 910 that allow the user to enter information into the mobile computing device 900.
  • the display 905 of the mobile computing device 900 may also function as an input device (e.g., a touch screen display). If included, an optional side input element 915 allows further user input.
  • the side input element 915 may be a rotary switch, a button, or any other type of manual input element.
  • mobile computing device 900 may incorporate more or less input elements.
  • the display 905 may not be a touch screen in some embodiments.
  • the mobile computing device 900 is a portable phone system, such as a cellular phone.
  • the mobile computing device 900 may also include an optional keypad 935.
  • Optional keypad 935 may be a physical keypad or a “soft” keypad generated on the touch screen display.
  • the output elements include the display 905 for showing a graphical user interface (GUI), a visual indicator 920 (e.g., a light emitting diode), and/or an audio transducer 925 (e.g., a speaker).
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • a visual indicator 920 e.g., a light emitting diode
  • an audio transducer 925 e.g., a speaker
  • the mobile computing device 900 incorporates a vibration transducer for providing the user with tactile feedback.
  • the mobile computing device 900 incorporates input and/or output ports, such as an audio input (e.g., a microphone jack), an audio output (e.g., a headphone jack), and a video output (e.g., a HDMI port) for sending signals to or receiving signals from an external device.
  • an audio input e.g., a microphone jack
  • an audio output e.g., a headphone jack
  • a video output e.g., a HDMI port
  • FIG. 9B is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of one aspect of a mobile computing device. That is, the mobile computing device 900 can incorporate a system (e.g., an architecture) 902 to implement some aspects.
  • the system 902 is implemented as a “smart phone” capable of running one or more applications (e.g., browser, e-mail, calendaring, contact managers, messaging clients, games, and media clients/players).
  • the system 902 is integrated as a computing device, such as an integrated personal digital assistant (PDA) and wireless phone.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • One or more application programs 966 may be loaded into the memory 962 and run on or in association with the operating system 964. Examples of the application programs include phone dialer programs, e-mail programs, personal information management (PIM) programs, word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, Internet browser programs, messaging programs, and so forth.
  • the system 902 also includes a non-volatile storage area 968 within the memory 962. The nonvolatile storage area 968 may be used to store persistent information that should not be lost if the system 902 is powered down.
  • the application programs 966 may use and store information in the non-volatile storage area 968, such as email or other messages used by an email application, and the like.
  • a synchronization application (not shown) also resides on the system 902 and is programmed to interact with a corresponding synchronization application resident on a host computer to keep the information stored in the non-volatile storage area 968 synchronized with corresponding information stored at the host computer.
  • other applications may be loaded into the memory 962 and run on the mobile computing device 900, including the instructions for providing an input-based FOA model as described herein (e.g., language parser, object detector, object selector, and/or movement detector, etc.).
  • the system 902 has a power supply 970, which may be implemented as one or more batteries.
  • the power supply 970 may further include an external power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements or recharges the batteries.
  • the system 902 may also include a radio interface layer 972 that performs the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequency communications.
  • the radio interface layer 972 facilitates wireless connectivity between the system 902 and the “outside world” (e.g., the electronic panel embodiments) via a communications carrier or service provider. Transmissions to and from the radio interface layer 972 are conducted under control of the operating system 964. In other words, communications received by the radio interface layer 972 may be disseminated to the application programs 966 via the operating system 964, and vice versa.
  • the visual indicator 920 may be used to provide visual notifications, and/or an audio interface 974 may be used for producing audible notifications via an audio transducer 925 (e.g., audio transducer 925 illustrated in FIG. 9A).
  • the visual indicator 920 is a light emitting diode (LED) and the audio transducer 925 may be a speaker.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the LED may be programmed to remain on indefinitely until the user takes action to indicate the powered-on status of the device.
  • the audio interface 974 is used to provide audible signals to and receive audible signals from the user.
  • the audio interface 974 may also be coupled to a microphone to receive audible input, such as to facilitate a telephone conversation.
  • the microphone may also serve as an audio sensor to facilitate control of notifications, as will be described below.
  • the system 902 may further include a video interface 976 that enables an operation of peripheral device 930 (e.g., on-board camera) to record still images, video stream, and the like. Audio interface 974, video interface 976, and keyboard 935 may be operated to receive input (e.g., a verbal cue or a textual cue, as described herein).
  • a mobile computing device 900 implementing the system 902 may have additional features or functionality.
  • the mobile computing device 900 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape.
  • additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 9B by the non-volatile storage area 968.
  • Data/information generated or captured by the mobile computing device 900 and stored via the system 902 may be stored locally on the mobile computing device 900, as described above, or the data may be stored on any number of storage media that may be accessed by the device via the radio interface layer 972 or via a wired connection between the mobile computing device 900 and a separate computing device associated with the mobile computing device 900, for example, a server computer in a distributed computing network, such as the Internet.
  • a server computer in a distributed computing network such as the Internet.
  • data/information may be accessed via the mobile computing device 900 via the radio interface layer 972 or via a distributed computing network.
  • data/information may be readily transferred between computing devices for storage and use according to well-known data/information transfer and storage means, including electronic mail and collaborative data/information sharing systems.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B are described for purposes of illustrating the present methods and systems and is not intended to limit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps or a particular combination of hardware or software components.
  • FIG. 10 is yet another example of an electronic panel 1202 incorporated into a garment 1204 which is shown for purposes of example as a shirt.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the back of the garment 1204.
  • the electronic panel 1202 can span multiple panels and include a trunk extension portion 1208 extending from the front (not shown in FIG. 10) or back trunk portion of the garment 1204.
  • the trunk extension portion 1208 extends toward and to the bottom portion of the garment 1204, such as for exam pie to the portion of the garment located near the waist of a wearer of the garment in the exemplary illustrated shirt.
  • one or more of the electronic components 1220 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 1202 via an electrical connection 1222.
  • the electrical connection 1222 can be incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 1202 and/or garment 1204, e.g., a zipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or a combination thereof.
  • the electronic panel 1202 and/or the garment 1204 can include one or more housings 1224 for one or more of the electronic components 1220 coupled to the electrically conductive wire 1218.
  • the housing 1224 can be located on the trunk extension portion 1208, and near the waist of a wearer of the garment in the exemplary illustrated shirt.
  • one or more electronic components 1220 are electrically coupled to the electrically conductive wire 1218, which can then be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing (e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of the garment 1204 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processing data, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronic panel 1202 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or the like).
  • Figure 10 shows an embodiment wherein one electrically conductive wire 1218 is shown extending from the trunk extension portion 1208 to a first appendage.
  • the electrically conductive wire 1208 can include a single wire or multiple wires extending from the trunk portion to any other portion of the electrical panel 1202. In some embodiments, multiple wires can be attached to the electronic panel 1202 independently of each other. In other embodiments, additional wires may branch from a wire or wire bundle at a junction.
  • Examples of electronic components 1220 include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, a power supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 1220A), a sensor, an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface, a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a charger, or a combination thereof.
  • the garment 1204 and electronic panel 1202 may include one or more features the same as or similar to other garments and electronic panels described herein, including those described in connection with FIGs. 2A, 2B, 3, 5A and 5B.
  • the electronic panel 1202 includes a substrate with an electrically conductive wire attached thereto.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne, selon certains modes de réalisation, des appareils, des systèmes (100) et des procédés pour des panneaux électroniques souples (102) qui peuvent être incorporés dans divers vêtements (104). Dans un mode de réalisation décrit à titre d'exemple, le panneau électronique (102) comporte un substrat (118) et un fil électriquement conducteur (120) fixé au substrat (118). Des modes de réalisation décrits à titre d'exemple comprennent un vêtement (104) comportant une pluralité de panneaux (102, A', A", A'", B', B"). Dans certains aspects, un premier panneau (102) est un panneau unitaire s'étendant d'un premier appendice du vêtement (104) à un second appendice du vêtement (104). De plus, au moins le premier panneau (102) comporte au moins un fil conducteur (120) et la pluralité restante de panneaux (A', A", A'", B', B") forme le reste du vêtement (104).
PCT/US2023/012216 2022-02-03 2023-02-02 Vêtements comprenant des panneaux électroniques dotés de substrats auxquels est fixé un fil conducteur WO2023150227A1 (fr)

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US202263306274P 2022-02-03 2022-02-03
US63/306,274 2022-02-03

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017033058A1 (fr) * 2015-08-24 2017-03-02 L.I.F.E. Corporation S.A. Vêtement de surveillance physiologique à stabilisation de capteur améliorée
WO2018005932A1 (fr) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Nike Innovate C.V. Article vestimentaire à système d'éclairage intégré
US20200253553A1 (en) * 2019-02-07 2020-08-13 North Carolina State University Functionalized garment and uses thereof
WO2021140335A1 (fr) * 2020-01-10 2021-07-15 Prevayl Limited Vêtement comportant un trajet électrique intégré et procédé

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017033058A1 (fr) * 2015-08-24 2017-03-02 L.I.F.E. Corporation S.A. Vêtement de surveillance physiologique à stabilisation de capteur améliorée
WO2018005932A1 (fr) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Nike Innovate C.V. Article vestimentaire à système d'éclairage intégré
US20200253553A1 (en) * 2019-02-07 2020-08-13 North Carolina State University Functionalized garment and uses thereof
WO2021140335A1 (fr) * 2020-01-10 2021-07-15 Prevayl Limited Vêtement comportant un trajet électrique intégré et procédé

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