Interactive clothing system

• US 20070198121A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Original Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Granted Patent: US 7,808,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/138
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/217 using environment-related information, i.e. information generated otherwise than by the player, e.g. ambient temperature or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5566 by matching opponents or finding partners to build a team, e.g. by skill level, geographical area, background, play style
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors

Abstract

An interactive clothing system includes a control unit having a processor and an antenna, and an item of clothing having a controller and a antenna. The antenna at the item of clothing communicates signals to the antenna at the control unit, the signals containing information about the item of clothing.

Claims

1. An interactive clothing system, comprising:

a control unit having a processor and a first antenna;

an item of clothing having a controller and a second antenna; and

wherein the second antenna communicates signals to the first antenna that contain information about the item of clothing.

2. The system of claim 1, further including:

a storage device electronically coupled to the control unit, the storage device including a memory that contains data relating to pattern of use.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit further includes a memory, a display screen and control buttons that are all coupled to the processor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control unit further includes a speaker coupled to the processor for broadcasting information relating to the item of clothing.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the item of clothing further includes a memory and an electronic device coupled to the controller.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the memory of the item of clothing contains information relating to the item of clothing.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic device detects an environmental condition.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic device is a motion sensor.

9. A method of communicating information from an item of clothing, comprising:

providing a control unit having a processor and a first antenna;

providing an item of clothing having a controller and a second antenna; and

communicating signals from the controller and the second antenna to the first antenna and the processor, the signals containing information about the item of clothing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the signals contain information about environmental conditions.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the signals contain information about the movement of the item of clothing.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the signals contain information about the location of the item of clothing.

13. The method of claim 9, further including:

displaying the information at the control unit.