Abstract: A real-time motion capture system and garment includes a wearable activity monitor that may be a pair of denim jeans. The wearable activity monitor includes multiple sensors such as accelerometers, gyrometers, magnetometers disposed within the seams of the garment. A microprocessor and wireless transmitter) communicate the motion data to an external device. The microprocessor and wireless transmitter may be included within one of the seams. An elastically stretchable ribbon or a flexible ribbon such as a kapton ribbon or a ribbon formed of textile, electrically couples the sensors and microprocessor and is also disposed inside the seams and the components within the seam are coated with a waterproof coating. The external device can store the data or display and analyze the data real-time, and may communicate the data to a further electronic device.

Abstract: It is disclosed a fabric (10) comprising a main layer (1), at least one LED (2) and a supporting element (3), wherein said at least one LED (2) is arranged on a coupling surface (3a) of said supporting element (3), and wherein said coupling surface (3a) is coupled to the inner surface (1a) of said main layer (1), said supporting element (3) comprising a plurality of electrical connections (4) to electrically connect said at least one LED (2) to a logic control unit (6) configured to control said at least one LED (2) in function of a sensing signal coming from a sensing device (7), said main layer (1) being provided with at least one opening (5) arranged in correspondence of said at least one LED (2) for allowing the light emitted by said at least one LED (2) to pass therethrough. It is further disclosed an article comprising the above mentioned fabric (10) and a process for producing the fabric (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for depositing at least a culture of microorganisms to an elongated element, preferably a yarn, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first feeding device comprising at least a first outlet; supplying at least one elongated element to said at least first feeding device; feeding to said first outlet at least a first culture comprising at least one microorganism; dispensing said first culture from said at least first outlet; contacting at least part of said elongated element with said first culture of microorganisms, to provide at least a part of said elongated element with an amount of said first culture of microorganisms.

Abstract: It is disclosed a capacitive touch sensor (10) comprising a support layer (1) and a plurality of sensing elongated elements (2) coupled to said support layer (1), said plurality of sensing elongated elements (2) comprising a plurality of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r), wherein said plurality of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r) comprises a first set (2rx) of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r) electrically connected to a first common node (Nx) configured to be electrically connected to a first input (INx) of a detection device (5), said detection device (5) being configured to provide an output signal (S_OUT) comprising a first output value (OUTx) that is a function of the capacitance value (CRx) of said first set (2rx) of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r). An article comprising the capacitive touch sensor (10) and a method for detecting a touch event on a support layer (1) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable step counter system comprising a garment for a wearer's legs, a capacitive electrode and a microcontroller, said garment comprising a textile fabric portion, said capacitive electrode comprising an electrically conductive yarn woven into said textile fabric portion, said textile fabric portion being arranged on said garment for providing a parasitic capacitive coupling between said capacitive electrode and a wearer's leg, said microcontroller being electrically connected to said capacitive electrode for evaluating said parasitic capacitive coupling so that the relative movement between the wearer's legs is detected by the microcontroller.

Abstract: Provided is a garment comprising fabric and at least one seam, said garment comprising at least one vibrotactile actuator configured for producing a vibrational pattern based on audio and/or messaging information provided by an information signal from an external device. The vibrotactile actuator is contained within the seam. Also provided is a system, circuit and method for transmitting audio and/or messaging information to a user. The system comprises the garment, the external device, and a conversion unit comprising a microcontroller that converts the audio and/or messaging information into a driving signal to be provided to the vibrotactile actuator. The circuit comprises the microcontroller and the vibrotactile actuators coupled to one another by a ribbon of a flexible material. The method evaluates the delay between the vibrational pattern produced by the vibrotactile actuator and acoustic and/or visual signals produced by the external device based on the audio and/or messaging information.

Abstract: A real-time motion capture system and garment includes a wearable activity monitor that may be a pair of denim jeans. The wearable activity monitor includes multiple sensors such as accelerometers, gyrometers, magnetometers disposed within the seams of the garment. A microprocessor and wireless transmitter) communicate the motion data to an external device. The microprocessor and wireless transmitter may be included within one of the seams. An elastically stretchable ribbon or a flexible ribbon such as a kapton ribbon or a ribbon formed of textile, electrically couples the sensors and microprocessor and is also disposed inside the seams and the components within the seam are coated with a waterproof coating. The external device can store the data or display and analyze the data real-time, and may communicate the data to a further electronic device.

Abstract: It is disclosed an electromagnetic shield (1) and a related method for providing electromagnetic shielding wherein the shield comprises a shielding surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive elements (2), said plurality of electrically conductive elements (2) being electrically connected to a switching assembly (3) configured to switch said electromagnetic shield (1) between an open configuration, wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically insulated from one another, and a shorted configuration wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically connected to each other at a common node (C). When the electrically conductive elements (2) of the electromagnetic shield (1) are switched between the open and shorted configurations, a change of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) occurs.

Abstract: It is disclosed a composite yarn (1) comprising an electrically conductive yarn (2) and an electrically resistive yarn (3), wherein said electrically conductive yarn (2) is coupled to said electrically resistive yarn (3), and wherein the electrically conductive yarn (2) is electrically insulated from the electrically resistive yarn (3). It is further disclosed a touch sensor (10) comprising at least one composite yarn (1) according to anyone of the previous claims, and a detection device (5) configured to evaluate the capacitance values (CR, CC) of the electrically resistive yarn (3) and of the electrically conductive yarn (2) of said composite yarn (1), said detection device (5) being configured to calculate the ratio (CR/CC) between said capacitance values (CR, CC) of the electrically resistive yarn (3) and of the electrically conductive yarn (2) and to provide an output signal (SOUT) indicative of the location of a touch event along said composite yarn (1) in function of said ratio (CR/CC).

Abstract: A wearable device and a method are disclosed for determining induced voltage exposure of a human body to low voltage fluctuations or induced static electricity variation on human body. The wearable device includes conductive elements which form at least part of an antenna and comprises an RF-to-DC converter connected to the conductive elements of the wearable device for harvesting RF energy and induced static electricity variation at the input in the form of an AC voltage (Vin), while the RF-to-DC converter provides a DC voltage (Vout) at the output. The wearable device also comprises a control unit connected to the output of the RF-to-DC converter to determine the induced voltage exposure of a device wearer's body.

Abstract: It is disclosed a stretchable touchpad (10) of the capacitive type including a stretchable textile fabric (20) having a plurality of conductive elements incorporated therein. The conductive elements are resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form electrodes to detect a change of capacitance caused by a touch. It is also disclosed a method for operating a stretchable touchpad (10) comprising the steps of measuring continuously a capacitance analog signal provided by a resistive strain gauge (30, 40) of the stretchable touchpad (10); and comparing the measured capacitance signal with a threshold value in order to determine whether or not a touch has taken place, wherein the threshold value is continuously adjusted as a function of the actual measurement of capacitance and as a function of the resistance of said resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form the capacitor electrodes of said touchpad (10).

Abstract: A method of identifying gesture event types on a textile touch pad sensor (10) with the steps of: memorizing raw touch data generated by the conductive grid (17) during a predefined interval of time in which a gesture event is performed on the pad sensor; estimating the type of a gesture event performed on the pad sensor by analyzing the raw touch data generated by the conductive grid; measuring the total time (eventLength) of the gesture event performed on the pad sensor; memorizing the longest time (longestX, longestY) during which a conductive yarn of the conductive grid has been touched during the gesture event; correcting the estimation of the gesture type, if the longest time during which a conductive yarn of the conductive grid has been touched is greater than a quantity that is a function of the total time of the gesture event.

Abstract: It is disclosed a capacitive touch sensor (10) comprising a support layer (1) and a plurality of sensing elongated elements (2) coupled to said support layer (1), said plurality of sensing elongated elements (2) comprising a plurality of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r), wherein said plurality of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r) comprises a first set (2rx) of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r) electrically connected to a first common node (Nx) configured to be electrically connected to a first input (INx) of a detection device (5), said detection device (5) being configured to provide an output signal (S_OUT) comprising a first output value (OUTx) that is a function of the capacitance value (CRx) of said first set (2rx) of electrically resistive elongated elements (2r). An article comprising the capacitive touch sensor (10) and a method for detecting a touch event on a support layer (1) are also disclosed.

Abstract: It is disclosed a fabric (10) comprising a main layer (1), at least one LED (2) and a supporting element (3), wherein said at least one LED (2) is arranged on a coupling surface (3a) of said supporting element (3), and wherein said coupling surface (3a) is coupled to the inner surface (1a) of said main layer (1), said supporting element (3) comprising a plurality of electrical connections (4) to electrically connect said at least one LED (2) to a logic control unit (6) configured to control said at least one LED (2) in function of a sensing signal coming from a sensing device (7), said main layer (1) being provided with at least one opening (5) arranged in correspondence of said at least one LED (2) for allowing the light emitted by said at least one LED (2) to pass therethrough. It is further disclosed an article comprising the above mentioned fabric (10) and a process for producing the fabric (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for depositing at least a culture of microorganisms to an elongated element, preferably a yarn, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first feeding device comprising at least a first outlet; supplying at least one elongated element to said at least first feeding device; feeding to said first outlet at least a first culture comprising at least one microorganism; dispensing said first culture from said at least first outlet; contacting at least part of said elongated element with said first culture of microorganisms, to provide at least a part of said elongated element with an amount of said first culture of microorganisms.

Abstract: It is disclosed a composite yarn (1) comprising an electrically conductive yarn (2) and an electrically resistive yarn (3), wherein said electrically conductive yarn (2) is coupled to said electrically resistive yarn (3), and wherein the electrically conductive yarn (2) is electrically insulated from the electrically resistive yarn (3). It is further disclosed a touch sensor (10) comprising at least one composite yarn (1) according to anyone of the previous claims, and a detection device (5) configured to evaluate the capacitance values (CR, CC) of the electrically resistive yarn (3) and of the electrically conductive yarn (2) of said composite yarn (1), said detection device (5) being configured to calculate the ratio (CR/CC) between said capacitance values (CR, CC) of the electrically resistive yarn (3) and of the electrically conductive yarn (2) and to provide an output signal (SOUT) indicative of the location of a touch event along said composite yarn (1) in function of said ratio (CR/CC).

Abstract: It is disclosed an electromagnetic shield (1) and a related method for providing electromagnetic shielding wherein the shield comprises a shielding surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive elements (2), said plurality of electrically conductive elements (2) being electrically connected to a switching assembly (3) configured to switch said electromagnetic shield (1) between an open configuration, wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically insulated from one another, and a shorted configuration wherein said electrically conductive elements (2) are electrically connected to each other at a common node (C). When the electrically conductive elements (2) of the electromagnetic shield (1) are switched between the open and shorted configurations, a change of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) occurs.

Abstract: A method of identifying gesture event types on a textile touch pad sensor (10) with the steps of: memorizing raw touch data generated by the conductive grid (17) during a predefined interval of time in which a gesture event is performed on the pad sensor; estimating the type of a gesture event performed on the pad sensor by analyzing the raw touch data generated by the conductive grid; measuring the total time (eventLength) of the gesture event performed on the pad sensor; memorizing the longest time (longestX, longestY) during which a conductive yarn of the conductive grid has been touched during the gesture event; correcting the estimation of the gesture type, if the longest time during which a conductive yarn of the conductive grid has been touched is greater than a quantity that is a function of the total time of the gesture event.

Abstract: Provided is a garment comprising fabric and at least one seam, said garment comprising at least one vibrotactile actuator configured for producing a vibrational pattern based on audio and/or messaging information provided by an information signal from an external device. The vibrotactile actuator is contained within the seam. Also provided is a system, circuit and method for transmitting audio and/or messaging information to a user. The system comprises the garment, the external device, and a conversion unit comprising a microcontroller that converts the audio and/or messaging information into a driving signal to be provided to the vibrotactile actuator. The circuit comprises the microcontroller and the vibrotactile actuators coupled to one another by a ribbon of a flexible material. The method evaluates the delay between the vibrational pattern produced by the vibrotactile actuator and acoustic and/or visual signals produced by the external device based on the audio and/or messaging information.

Abstract: A wearable device and a method are disclosed for determining induced voltage exposure of a human body to low voltage fluctuations or induced static electricity variation on human body. The wearable device includes conductive elements which form at least part of an antenna and comprises an RF-to-DC converter connected to the conductive elements of the wearable device for harvesting RF energy and induced static electricity variation at the input in the form of an AC voltage (Vin), while the RF-to-DC converter provides a DC voltage (Vout) at the output. The wearable device also comprises a control unit connected to the output of the RF-to-DC converter to determine the induced voltage exposure of a device wearer's body.