Abstract: A tufted controller using electronic textiles offers a unique way of controlling on/off and similar functions of electric and electronic devices. The uniquely soft and tactile tufted controllers offer relatively larger areas of more versatile contact over the prior art (i.e., flat, hard capacitive contact sensors). The tufted controllers may be constructed with yarn, string, thread, cordage or the like—even novelty yarns, like boucle- or eyelash type. Kits for building such controllers—especially for lamps and patches are popular craft projects.

Abstract: A capacitive light/dimmer switch which uses soft or fuzzy fabrics made with electronic textiles instead of, or as an extension of, metal or plastic plates. The soft fabric material, which may be in the form of a pompom, tassel, fur, or other electronic trim element, provides an attractive and compelling user interface that is soft to the touch. The user simply touches the pompom, as he would the dimmer plate, to cause the amount of light to increase or decrease. The electronic textiles of the light controller comprise electrodes integrated into their yarns or fibers, resulting in a conductive material (electronic textile) that may be used as the user interface. This conductive material is electrically connected to a sensing circuit by either AC coupling or DC contact. When the user touches the conductive material, the sensing circuit measures the change in load of the electrodes, and the lighting is changed.

Abstract: A capacitive light/dimmer switch which uses soft or fuzzy fabrics made with electronic textiles instead of, or as an extension of, metal or plastic plates. The soft fabric material, which may be in the form of a pompom, tassel, fur, or other electronic trim element, provides an attractive and compelling user interface that is soft to the touch. The user simply touches the pompom, as he would the dimmer plate, to cause the amount of light to increase or decrease. The electronic textiles of the light controller comprise electrodes integrated into their yarns or fibers, resulting in a conductive material (electronic textile) that may be used as the user interface. This conductive material is electrically connected to a sensing circuit by either AC coupling or DC contact. When the user touches the conductive material, the sensing circuit measures the change in load of the electrodes, and the lighting is changed.

Abstract: A textile with dynamic, visual displays and a method for manufacturing such a textile are described. The textile is manufactured by weaving, embroidering, or otherwise integrating a series of conductive, resistive, and non-conductive fibers into the textile and printing a thermoresponsive colorant on or near the resistive fiber. The pattern and physical configuration of the materials composing the textile determine the visual properties of the textile. Electrical power is supplied to the resistive fiber(s) to change the visual properties of the textile. As the resistive fiber warms, the thermoresponsive colorant is warmed beyond a thermal threshold necessary to effect a color change in the thermoresponsive colorant, thereby creating an electronically controllable, visually dynamic textile.

Abstract: Fabrics are used as integral elements of electrical circuitry—to facilitate control over the operation of external components connected thereto, to serve as substrates onto which electrical components are connected, or as the electrical components themselves. In one aspect, selective, anisotropic electrical conductivity is achieved using conductive fibers running along one weave direction and non-conductive fibers running along the opposite direction. The conductive fibers, which may be continuous or arranged in lanes, serve as electrical conduits capable of carrying data signals and/or power, and may be connected, for example, to electrical components soldered directly onto the fabric. In a second aspect, passive electrical components are integrated directly textiles using threads having selected electrical properties.

Abstract: Tiling processor elements facilitate manipulation of digital information and processing through user-defined relationship between the elements. Each element represents an independent computational entity with predefined properties and functionality, but the behavior of an arrangement of these elements depends on the arrangement itself-not just the characteristics of the individual devices. In this way, unique computational entities may be constructed based on, but not limited to, the capabilities of the individual devices. Rearrangement of the elements defines and alters the functionality of the resulting element network.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous sensing of hand and arm gestures comprises hand-held means for continuously sensing at least tempo and emphasis. These sensed parameters are represented quantitatively, and transduced by appropriate circuitry into electrical signals indicative of the parameter quantities. The signals may be used to control the performance of a musical composition (or the evolution of some other dynamic system), or may instead convey information. The signals may, for example, be provided to an interpreter that dynamically infers control commands from the gestures on a real-time basis in accordance with the generally accepted canon of musical conducting, directing the controlled system in accordance therewith. The invention may also sense one or more additional conducting parameters such as the speed and/or velocity, direction (i.e.