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 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 to the sensors and extend away from the sensors,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 to or from each sensor 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
42 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 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 to the sensors and extend away from the sensors, 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 to or from each sensor in any state of deformation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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 conductive lead formed of a second polymeric material having a second conductive material contained therein, wherein the lead is connected to the sensor and extends away from the sensor, 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 to or from the sensor in any state of deformation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. 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 conductive lead connected to the clothing member, wherein the lead is connected to the sensor and extends along the clothing member away from the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, and wherein the lead has sufficient conductivity that the lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal to or from the sensor in any state of deformation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. 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. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. 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; an electronic module removably mounted within the housing, wherein the electronic module is configured for communication with an external electronic device; 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; and an interface configured for connection to the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the housing, wherein the lead is connected between the sensor and the interface and extends along the clothing member between the sensor and the interface, such that the electronic module is in communication with the lead and the sensor through the interface, 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 electronic module via the interface in any state of deformation, and wherein the electronic module is configured to receive the electronic signal, to detect the movement of the user through detection of increased resistance of the sensor, and to communicate data indicating the movement of the user to the external electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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Specification