Apparel having sensor system
First Claim
1. A sensor system comprising:
- a plurality of sensors formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a first dispersion density;
a port configured for communication with an electronic module;
a plurality of conductive leads formed of the polymeric material having the conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a second dispersion density, wherein the leads are connected between the sensors and the port,wherein each of the sensors is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, andwherein the second dispersion density is higher than the first dispersion density, such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct an electronic signal between each sensor and the port in any state of deformation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system configured for use with an article of apparel includes one or a plurality of sensors formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein and conductive leads connecting the sensors to a port. The leads may also be formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein. The conductive material is dispersed in the sensor(s) at a first dispersion density and the conductive material is dispersed in the leads at a second dispersion density that is higher than the first dispersion density. Each of the sensors is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, which is detected by a module connected to the port. The second dispersion density is such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct an electronic signal between each sensor and the port in any state of deformation.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A sensor system comprising:
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a plurality of sensors formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a first dispersion density; a port configured for communication with an electronic module; a plurality of conductive leads formed of the polymeric material having the conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a second dispersion density, wherein the leads are connected between the sensors and the port, wherein each of the sensors is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, and wherein the second dispersion density is higher than the first dispersion density, such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct an electronic signal between each sensor and the port in any state of deformation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor system comprising:
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a sensor formed of a first polymeric material having a first conductive particulate material dispersed therein; a port configured for communication with an electronic module; a conductive lead formed of a second polymeric material having a second conductive material contained therein, wherein the lead is connected between the sensor and the port, wherein the sensor has a first resistance in a non-deformed condition and a second resistance in a deformed condition, and wherein the second resistance is higher than the first resistance, and wherein the lead has sufficient conductivity such that the lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal between the sensor and the port in any state of deformation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An article of apparel comprising:
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a clothing member configured to be worn on a body of a user; a sensor connected to the clothing member at a first location, wherein the sensor is formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a first dispersion density, wherein the sensor is configured to deform upon movement of the user while wearing the clothing member; a port configured for communication with an electronic module, the port being connected to the clothing member at a second location remote from the first location; and a conductive lead connected to the clothing member, wherein the lead is connected between the sensor and the port and extends along the clothing member between the sensor and the port, wherein the sensor is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An athletic performance monitoring system comprising:
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an article of apparel comprising a clothing member configured to be worn on a body of a user; a sensor connected to the clothing member, wherein the sensor is formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a first dispersion density, wherein the sensor is configured to deform upon movement of the user while wearing the clothing member; a housing connected to the clothing member, the housing having a retaining structure; an electronic module removably mounted within the housing, wherein the retaining structure of the housing is configured to releasably retain the electronic module, and wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external electronic device; a port connected to the housing, such that the port is in communication with the electronic module; a conductive lead connected to the clothing member, wherein the lead is formed of the polymeric material having the conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a second dispersion density, wherein the lead is connected between the sensor and the port and extends along the clothing member between the sensor and the port, wherein the sensor is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, and wherein the second dispersion density is higher than the first dispersion density, such that the lead has sufficient conductivity that the lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal from each sensor to the module via the port in any state of deformation, and wherein the module is configured to receive the electronic signal, to detect the movement of the user through detection of the increased resistance of the sensor, and to communicate data indicating the movement of the user to the external device. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. An article of apparel comprising:
a clothing member having a sensor system disposed thereon, the sensor system comprising an extruded silicone member having a sensor segment and a conductor segment connected to the sensor segment and continuous with the sensor segment, the sensor segment having a conductive particulate material contained therein at a first concentration and the conductor segment having the conductive particulate material contained therein at a second concentration, the second concentration being greater than the first concentration.
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37. An athletic performance monitoring system comprising:
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an article of apparel comprising a clothing member configured to be worn on a body of a user; a first sensor system connected to the clothing member, the first sensor system comprising; a sensor connected to the clothing member, wherein the sensor is formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein at a first dispersion density, wherein the sensor is configured to deform upon movement of the user while wearing the clothing member and is further configured to increase in resistance upon deformation; a first port connected to the clothing member; a conductive lead connecting the sensor to the port; and a first electronic module configured for connection to the first port, wherein the first module is further configured to detect the increase in resistance of the sensor and collect data from the sensor through the first port; an article of footwear configured to be worn on a foot of the user; a second sensor system connected to the article of footwear, the second sensor system comprising; an FSR sensor connected to the article of footwear and configured to detect pressure by the user'"'"'s foot on the FSR sensor; a second port connected to the article of footwear and being operably connected to the FSR sensor to receive input from the FSR sensor; and a second electronic module configured for connection to the second port, wherein the second module is further configured to collect data from the FSR sensor through the port; and an external device configured for communication with the first and second modules, the external device configured to receive data from the first and second modules and integrate the data from the first and second modules.
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Specification