Conformal electronics integrated with apparel

• US 10,296,819 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2017
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medidata Solutions Incorporated (Dassault Systemes SA)
• Original Assignee: MC10, Inc.
• Inventors: Fastert, Steven, Dowling, Kevin J., Schlatka, Benjamin, Rafferty, Conor
• Primary Examiner(s): Bee, Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US15/812,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20180293472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/025 the material being flexible or adapted for folding, e.g. paper or paper-like materials used in luggage labels, identification tags, forms or identification documents carrying RFIDs methods for testing the genuineness of valuable papers, e.g. banknotes or passports G07D7/00; constructional features of booklets and the like B42D
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/027 the material being suitable for use as a textile, e.g. woven-based RFID-like labels designed for attachment to laundry items markings attached to laundry items in general D06F93/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0708 the source being electromagnetic or magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07779 the inductive antenna being a coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0779 the antenna being foldable or folded
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves

Abstract

A system is provided for integrating conformal electronics devices into apparel. The system includes a flexible substrate onto which a flexible device is disposed. The flexible device can include a stretchable coil that can be used to receive and transmit near field communications. The flexible device also includes an integrated circuit component and a memory unit. In some examples, the device also includes a sensor that is configured to record measurement of the wearer of the apparel and/or the surrounding environment.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a flexible substrate incorporated into apparel configured to be worn by a human;

a flexible device disposed on the flexible substrate, the flexible device comprising;

a stretchable coil formed from a conductive material and comprising at least one corrugated portion; and

an integrated circuit component disposed proximate to and in electrical communication with the stretchable coil, the integrated circuit component comprising at least one memory that is read and write-enabled; and

a flexible encapsulant encapsulating the flexible device;

wherein the apparatus is configured for remote data read- and write-operations to the at least one memory to store identifying information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparel includes performance apparel, the performance apparel including apparel engineered to keep athletes cool, dry, or light throughout the course of a game, practice session, or workout.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparel is configured according to a seasonal temperature behavior, the seasonal temperature behavior including apparel configured for warmer temperatures, apparel configured for cooler temperatures, and apparel configured for temperatures between the warmer temperatures and the cooler temperatures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparel is protective apparel that includes helmets or sports pads.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparel is everyday apparel that includes outerwear, underwear, hats, shirts, or gloves.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed near a wearer'"'"'s head and detects temperature or electrical activity of the brain.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed near a wearer'"'"'s throat and detects respiration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed near a wearer'"'"'s arm and detects pulse rate, blood pressure, ultraviolet radiation, or under-arm temperature.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed near a wearer'"'"'s hand and detects blood oxygenation, pulse, or blood pressure.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed near a wearer'"'"'s leg, chest, or foot and detects hydration levels, muscle activity, heart rate, respiration rate, electrocardiograms, body temperature, posture, or weight.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a flexible substrate integrated with apparel configured to be worn by a human;

a flexible device disposed on the flexible substrate, the flexible device comprising;

a flexible coil formed from a conductive material disposed on the flexible substrate; and

an integrated circuit component disposed proximate to and in electrical communication with the flexible coil, the integrated circuit component comprising at least one memory that is read and write-enabled;

a flexible encapsulant encapsulating the flexible device;

an energy supply in electrical communication with the integrated circuit component; and

a microcapacitor in electrical communication with the energy supply and the integrated circuit component;

wherein the apparatus is configured for remote data read- and write-operations to the at least one memory to store identifying information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparel includes performance apparel, the performance apparel including apparel engineered to keep athletes cool, dry, or light throughout the course of a game, practice session, or workout.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparel is configured according to a seasonal temperature behavior, the seasonal temperature behavior including apparel configured for warmer temperatures, apparel configured for cooler temperatures, and apparel configured for temperatures between the warmer temperatures and the cooler temperatures.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparel is protective apparel that includes helmets or sports pads.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wearer or owner of the apparel is identified and displayed.

16. An apparatus for monitoring a temperature, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible substrate woven with a fabric of an apparel configured to be worn by a human;

a flexible device disposed on the flexible substrate, the flexible device comprising;

a stretchable coil formed from a conductive material and comprising at least one corrugated portion; and

an integrated circuit component disposed proximate to and in electrical communication with the stretchable coil, the integrated circuit component comprising at least one memory that is read and write-enabled;

a flexible encapsulant encapsulating the flexible device; and

a temperature sensor in communication with the flexible device, to perform at least one temperature measurement;

wherein data indicative of the at least one temperature measurement is stored to the at least one memory.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparel includes performance apparel, the performance apparel including apparel engineered to keep athletes cool, dry, or light throughout the course of a game, practice session, or workout.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparel is configured according to a seasonal temperature behavior, the seasonal temperature behavior including apparel configured for warmer temperatures, apparel configured for cooler temperatures, and apparel configured for temperatures between the warmer temperatures and the cooler temperatures.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparel is protective apparel that includes helmets or sports pads.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wearer or owner of the apparel is identified and displayed.