U.S. patent application number 10/403185 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for apparel articles including flexible personal device and information displays.
Invention is credited to Rubin, Aaron Cole, Tumlinson, Alexandre Rex.
Application Number | 20040187184 10/403185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32989874 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040187184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rubin, Aaron Cole ; et
al. |
September 30, 2004 |
Apparel articles including flexible personal device and information
displays
Abstract
Apparel articles including flexible personal device and
information displays provide a system and method for displaying
text and graphical output of personal devices to the wearer of the
apparel article or another person interacting with a personal
device of the wearer. The apparel includes a display having
enhanced flexibility that is visible in low ambient light
conditions without requiring the use of a back-light. Hats, shirts
and other apparel articles provide displays for programming by
other persons via a wireless network interface and for displaying
information such as Internet messages and pages, temperature,
exercise data, stock quotes, computer monitor displays and other
information to the wearer of the apparel. Control inputs of
personal devices are also incorporated in the apparel via a
touch-screen aligned with the display or other discrete controls
integrated within the apparel.
Inventors: |
Rubin, Aaron Cole; (Tucson,
AZ) ; Tumlinson, Alexandre Rex; (Tucson, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
32989874 |
Appl. No.: |
10/403185 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/24 20130101;
G06F 3/147 20130101; A41D 27/085 20130101; A43B 3/0078 20130101;
G09G 3/20 20130101; G09F 21/02 20130101; G09F 27/00 20130101; G09G
2380/04 20130101; A45C 15/00 20130101; A43B 3/34 20220101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article of apparel, comprising: an apparel body of a form for
wearing by a person or animal; a flexible multipixel display array
mounted on the apparel body for providing a visual display; a
driver circuit coupled to said display array for providing
electronic signals controlling said visual display; a processor
coupled to said driver circuit for programming said electronic
signals; and at least one personal device coupled to said processor
for providing an input to processor for providing said display
programming in response to an output of said personal device.
2. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said flexible display
array is a light-emitting diode (LED) display.
3. The article of apparel of claim 2, wherein said flexible display
array is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.
4. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said flexible display
array is arranged in a position for viewing by a wearer of said
article of apparel, whereby said wearer can conveniently view an
output of said personal device.
5. The article of apparel of claim 4, further comprising controls
mounted on said apparel body and coupled to said processor for
controlling said personal device, whereby said wearer may interact
with said personal device and said visual display.
6. The article of apparel of claim 5, wherein said controls
comprise a touch-screen integrated with said flexible display
array.
7. The article of apparel of claim 5, wherein said controls
comprise switches mounted adjacent to said flexible display
array.
8. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein said apparel body is
a shoe, and wherein said flexible display array is positioned on a
top of said shoe near the toe whereby said flexible display array
is visible to said wearer.
9. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein said apparel body is
an article of clothing including a sleeve for covering an arm of
said wearer and wherein said visual display is provided on an arm
of said wearer for viewing by said wearer.
10. The article 6f apparel of claim 4, wherein said apparel body is
an article of clothing including a pant leg for covering a leg of
said wearer and wherein said visual display is provided on a top of
the leg of said wearer for viewing by said wearer.
11. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein said apparel body is
an article of clothing including a front shirt tail and wherein
said visual display is provided on an outer surface of the shirt
tail of said wearer for viewing by said wearer when said front
shirt tail is not tucked into another article of clothing.
12. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said visual display
is generated in conformity with broadcast information received by
said personal device.
13. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said visual display
is generated in conformity with information received by said
personal device in response to a poll by said personal device.
14. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said flexible
display array comprises all of an exterior of said article of
apparel, whereby said flexible display array forms said apparel
body, and wherein said visual display is provided on at least a
portion of said flexible display.
15. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said personal device
is a communications device for receiving a communication from a
person other than the wearer, and wherein said visual display is
programmed in response to a receipt of said communication, whereby
said visual display is programmed to reflect an output of said
communication.
16. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein said communications
device is a device for receiving e-mail from said person other than
the wearer and wherein said visual display is programmed to display
at least a portion of said e-mail.
17. An article of apparel, comprising: an apparel body of a form
for wearing by a person or animal; a personal device; and means for
providing a display of an information output of said personal
device on a surface of said article of apparel.
18. A method for displaying text, graphics, color or light on a
person or animal, comprising: attaching a flexible multipixel array
display to an apparel body; receiving an output of a personal
device; and programming a state of pixels within said multipixel
array display to generate a visual display in response to said
output of said personal device and in conformity with information
provided from said personal device.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said attaching attaches a
light-emitting diode (LED) display.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said attaching attaches an
organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display to said apparel
body.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein said attaching attaches said
multipixel array display in a location and orientation for view by
a wearer of said apparel body, whereby said wearer may conveniently
view said output of said personal device.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving broadcast
information, and wherein said programming programs said pixels to
generate said visual display in conformity with said received
broadcast information.
23. The method of claim 18, further comprising: sending a polling
request from said personal device; and receiving response
information in response to said polling request, and wherein said
programming programs said pixels to generate said visual display in
conformity with said received response information.
24. The method of claim 18, wherein said multipixel array display
forms all of an exterior of said apparel body, whereby said
attaching is performed implicitly.
25. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a
communication from a person other than a wearer of said apparel
body, and wherein said programming is performed in conformity with
said received communication, whereby another person may view a
result of said receiving on said visual display.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to articles of
clothing or accessories and more specifically to apparel including
one or more flexible electronic displays.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Clothing articles on which distinctive graphics and text
appear are for sale by clothing retailers as well as organizations
having a promotional or advertising interest in the graphics or
text being displayed. Static printed apparel is well known (e.g.,
printed t-shirts) and are found highly desirable by both consumers
and promoters.
[0005] In the recent past, electronic display technology has
improved to yield increasingly low-cost, low power and small
graphical and textual displays, such as liquid crystal displays
(LCDs) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. While such
displays may be used to provide changeable graphical and textual
matter to an apparel article via attachment of an LCD, as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,653, in actuality, an LCD cannot be packaged
to yield a degree of flexibility that would prevent damage to the
display while providing comfort and flexibility of movement to the
wearer. Further, LCD technology typically requires back-lighting to
be visible under a wide variation of lighting conditions.
[0006] U.S. patent application US2002/0167483A1 describes OLED
apparel articles generally as an improvement over the
above-referenced patent. However, the above-referenced patent (as
well as other existing patents and publications) is directed toward
a display for promoting or otherwise presenting graphics and
animations to persons other than the wearer. Typically this type of
apparel display serves as a"substitute" or improvement over the
printed designs described above. While such displays are useful for
providing eye-catching and visible displays for advertising or for
calling attention to the wearer, it would be desirable to provide
further functionality within such apparel. It would further be
desirable to provide functionality that serves the wearer of the
apparel other than the functionality described above, which only
serves the wearer in relation to other persons viewing the
displays. It would also be desirable to provide functional
interaction between apparel and other persons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The above objectives of providing an article of apparel
having an electronic display providing functionality that serves
the wearer and/or wearer interactivity with other persons is
provided in apparel articles incorporating a flexible display
comprising a personal device display. The display may be an output
of a personal device such as a wristwatch, Internet or other
network appliance, cellular telephone, exercise and environmental
monitors, personal computers, video games, music players and other
personal devices. The display is generally oriented for convenient
viewing by the wearer, but may also include displays oriented for
viewing by other persons while programmed with the graphical and/or
textual output of a personal device where the input to the personal
device is provided by one or more other persons.
[0008] The apparel articles incorporate a flexible light-emitting
diode display forming a graphical pixel matrix for display of
graphics and/or text. The light-emitting diode display radiates
light, eliminating any need for back-lighting and providing a
flexible display enhancing flexibility of movement and comfort to
the wearer.
[0009] The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages
of the invention will be apparent from the following, more
particular, description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. 1A and 1B are pictorial diagrams depicting apparel
articles in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram depicting an apparel article
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an electronic block diagram depicting circuits of
an apparel article in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The present invention provides various interactive and
display improvements to articles of apparel including flexible
displays. The improvements include personal device information
displays integrated within the article of apparel. Such displays
may include cellular telephone and other personal communication
device displays such as pager, e-mail, personal digital assistant
(PDA) displays, personal computer displays and the like. Generally,
the display differs from prior art displays not necessarily in
format or structure, but in programming, in that the display is
programmed in an orientation for convenient viewing by the wearer
of the article of apparel, rather than for viewing by others.
Personal devices as defined in the context of the present
application include all of the above-listed devices and other
devices that present information to a person (the wearer) on a
multi-pixel display. One embodiment of the invention in exception
to the wearer orientation of the present invention is a novel use
of a flexible display integrated in an article of apparel and a
novel method and system for operating an article of apparel,
whereby another person may view a response to a communication
received from the other person on the flexible display of the
wearer.
[0014] The present invention provides a display of information
provided from the personal communication devices mentioned above,
but also contemplates personal devices that are sensor devices such
as exercise monitors and temperature sensors as well as completely
contained devices such as timers, stopwatches and wristwatches and
personal computing devices. Apparel as contemplated by the
embodiments of the present invention include accessories such as
wallets, purses, gym bags, luggage, belts as well as general
clothing-type apparel such as shirts, shoes, jackets, pants,
skirts, dresses and the like. The flexible display and associated
control circuits may be made detachable so that transfer between
various articles of clothing may be accomplished. An
adhesive-backed display or VELCRO-attached display may be
provided.
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1A, a wallet 10 in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention is depicted. Wallet body 11 forms
an"apparel body" on which a flexible light-emitting diode (LED)
multi-pixel matrix display 13 is mounted. A visual display 15 is
presented that can display video, text, static graphics, flashing
lights, as well as any other lighted form that may be programmed to
turn on pixels in LED display 13 in response to personal device
information. For example, a cellular telephone display or e-mail
content display may be provided on LED display 13 in response to a
received network communication.
[0016] LED display 13 is generally an organic LED display forming a
transparent plastic flexible membrane with the organic diode
elements embedded therein. No back-lighting is required, as the LED
elements generate radiated light as opposed to LCD elements that
have been used in prior clothing article displays. Apparel in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention are generally
for wear by persons, but the techniques of the present invention
may be applied to other clothing articles such as dog sweaters,
horse cowls, and so forth generally in embodiments where the
personal device information is provided by a person other than the
animal wearer for view by the person.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1B, a shirt 10A in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention is depicted. An apparel body
11A provides the bulk of the apparel item (shirt 10A) on which
flexible multipixel LED display 13A is mounted for generating a
visual display 15A, but in one embodiment, display 13A forms all of
the exterior of the entire apparel item, so that an apparel body
may not be required at all. Such apparel is suitable for use in
full camouflage or partial camouflage clothing that may be
programmed for various environments. A second display 13B is shown
incorporated on a sleeve of shirt 10A, and the generated visual
display is generated in an orientation easily readable to the
wearer, as opposed to display 13A which is more likely visible to
and generally oriented for display to another person. In the
illustrative depiction, display 13B is implementing the function of
a watch showing time 3:00.
[0018] Buttons 16, provided for controlling displays 13A and 13B,
may be incorporated as graphics and/or text on 13B with sensors
located at corresponding locations under the display or with a
programmed response to a touch-screen matrix set to areas
corresponding to button icons 16 or may be provided as discrete
buttons such as membrane switches as shown.
[0019] Display 13A is illustrated as a display responsive to a
wireless network interface. The present invention contemplates the
use of a wireless network interface for providing weather
information, stock quote information, video and animated data, and
so forth for viewing by the wearer of the article of apparel.
However, in the illustration, a graphical text display responsive
to incoming e-mails is shown where the display text of a person's
name (or other text) may be inserted in response to a received
Internet e-mail transmission to an address associated with display
13A. Thus the present invention provides a personal
device-responsive communication for viewing by the sender of a
communication, as well as others.
[0020] Electronic displays 13A and 13B may share common driver
circuits and a processor programming displays 13A and 13B may
select a particular one of the displays for activation, or displays
13A and 13B may be multiplexed to reduce the amount of driver
circuitry required. Driver circuit including internal personal
devices 14A is shown incorporated in the lining of shirt 10A and
may include a battery power source. Alternatively, or for providing
a battery power source ancillary to driver circuit 14A, a belt or
waistband clipped electronics pack 14B including internal personal
devices may be connected to shirt 10A. Controls may be further
incorporated on pack 14B for controlling programming of visual
display 15A and programming of display 13B and an external
connector may be provided on electronics pack 14B and/or driver
circuit 14A for interface to a personal device (including sensors)
providing input for controlling displays 13A and 13B.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, a shoe 20 in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention is depicted. The body of shoe
21 provides a structure for attaching a flexible multi-pixel LED
display 23. Display 23 is shown oriented for viewing by a wearer of
shoe 20 and visual display 25 provided thereon is displaying the
current temperature (+70) in response to a sensor coupled to driver
electronics 24.
[0022] In addition to the locations described above as examples, a
visual display in accordance with other embodiments of the present
invention may be provided in other locations on an apparel body.
For example; the top of the leg or knee of a pair of pants, dress,
skirt or other leg-covering article of apparel may have a display
mounted thereon for providing a convenient location for viewing by
the wearer. Additionally, the display may be mounted on a front
shirt tail, providing a means for hiding the visual display when
the shirt tail is tucked in and wherein the visual display may be
oriented upside-down for viewing then the shirt tail is flipped up
toward the viewer. Other"flap" type articles of apparel or
additions to articles of apparel may be provided, for example on
the front of a shirt or blouse, so that the user may"flip-up" a
visual display that is oriented for viewing by the wearer when
such"flap" is flipped so as to face the user.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, driver circuits 30 suitable for use
within apparel articles 10, 10A and 20 in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention are shown in a block diagram. Displays
31 and 31A which are affixed to an apparel article, are coupled to
a set of matrix drivers 32. Displays 31 and 31A may each comprise a
further plurality of electronic displays all connected to matrix
driver 32 and may be individually selectable via matrix drivers 32.
Matrix drivers 32 are coupled to processor 33 for receiving
information corresponding to text, graphics and colors displayed on
display 31 and processor is coupled to a memory 34 for storing
program instructions for execution by processor 33 and data
corresponding to graphical images, text and colors for display on
display 31.
[0024] A wireless network node 39A, which may be an Internet node,
is coupled to processor 33 to provide receipt of wireless
communications and information such as web page viewing, time,
weather and stock information as well as interactivity via e-mail,
pager and the like as described above. Other information types
receivable and displayable include maps and navigation direction
information, movie theatre times, traffic information, newswire
information and home appliance status and control information. In
general, any type of broadcast information (unsolicited
transmissions) or polled information (solicited transmissions) that
are suitable for visual display output may be decoded and
displayed. The information may be provided by any wireless
mechanism compatible with the broadcasting or poll-response
mechanism employed in the broadcasting or responding system, such
as radio-frequency (RF) and infrared (IR)
transmission/reception.
[0025] Sensor/switch input interface 36 is coupled to processor 33
and may be coupled to exercise data sensors (such as heart rate
monitors), switches or buttons mounted on the apparel (such as
buttons 16) or electronics housing for control of display 31 or
connected to temperature sensors, etc. Sensor/switch input
interface 36 also couples any provided touch-screens integrated
with displays 31 and 31A. Internal personal devices and sensors 37
are coupled to processor 33 for providing information for
programming displays 31 and 31A. External devices and sensors 40
may be coupled to processor 33 via an interface connector 35A.
Power for displays 31 and driver circuit 30 may be provided by a
battery, and solar cells or kinetic electrical devices may be used
to either re-charge the battery, or may be used in some embodiments
for providing all of the power source.
[0026] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing
and other changes in form, and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *