MULTIPURPOSE AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL GARMENT

A multipurpose and multifunctional garment which can comprise accommodations for electronics (e.g., wiring, devices, communications, etc.), electronic devices (e.g., sensors, user interaction devices, etc.), electronic display capabilities (e.g., LEDs, standard and flexible displays, audio input and output, wired and wireless capability, geolocation capability (e.g., global positioning systems (GPS))), and commonly-known presentation capabilities (e.g., silk screen, dyes, etc.).

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Description
SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Disclosed is a multipurpose and multifunctional garment which can comprise accommodations (e.g., pockets, flaps, attachment material, attachment mechanisms (e.g., fasteners, zippers, etc.) for electronics (e.g., wiring, devices, communications, etc.), electronic devices (e.g., sensors, user interaction devices, etc.), electronic display capabilities (e.g., LEDs, standard and flexible displays, audio input and output, wired and wireless capability, geolocation capability (e.g., global positioning systems (GPS))), and commonly-known presentation capabilities (e.g., silk screen, dyes, etc.).

The disclosed multipurpose and multifunctional garment can comprise at least one of an inner lower piece, an outer lower piece, an inner upper piece, an outer upper piece, a single outer piece, and a single inner piece. Thus, the garment can be designed as a single piece of material e.g., (a “coverall”) which a person slips into and pulls over to wear, or can be a multi-part garment of several separate parts (e.g., an upper part or piece and a lower part or piece) which cooperate together for a specific function (e.g., wetness from rain).

The garment material can comprise one or more materials commonly used in the garment industry to make inner garments (e.g., shirts, pants, blouses, vests, undergarments, socks, etc.), outer garments (e.g., coats, vests, raincoats, work coats, waterproof garments, etc.), including, but not limited to, cotton (plant cellulose), nylon, polyester, rayon, nylon, silk, rubber, linen, leather, plastics, viscose, neoprene, wool, woven fabrics that include metals woven therein such as copper fibers, or any one or more other types of metal fibers, and plastic fibers (e.g., optical) for example.

This further includes durable, sturdy, and heavy-duty fabrics such as canvas which is a plain weave (i.e., a single weft thread alternates over and under a single warp thread), fabric commonly made of heavy cotton yarn, and possibly linen yarn. By blending cotton with synthetic fibers, canvas can become water resistant or even waterproof. Thus, the garment material can warm and lightweight by employing a type of wool fabric, obtained from animals such as goats or sheep. The garment material can also be a fabric that employs a design weave and a background weave. The garment material can be a decorative fabric such as lace. The lace garment can then be worn over the outer garment. Leather includes all skins obtained from animals, existing in the air, on land, and in water.

As a single piece garment, the coverall incorporates an upper-body portion (e.g., from the waist upward including some or all body parts and extremities/appendages to the top of the head) and a lower-body portion (e.g., from the waist downward including some or all body parts and extremities/appendages to the bottom of the feet and tips of the toes). The upper-body portion covers the abdomen and upper-body extremities/appendages from approximately the waist up, and the lower-body portion covers the lower body extremities/appendages from the waist down, such as the legs or a two-part garment having pants (the bottom) and a coat (the top).

As a multi-part (or multi-piece) garment (e.g., two parts, three pieces, etc.), a two-part garment can incorporate an upper-body part (e.g., defined as approximately from the waist upward with material to cover some or all body parts and extremities/appendages to the top of the head) and a lower-body part (e.g., defined as approximately from the waist downward including material to cover some or all body parts and extremities/appendages to the all points on the feet such as bottom of the feet and tips of the toes).

The upper-body part is a piece of material separate from the material of the lower-body part. The upper-body part can be similar to a pull-over top such as a coat or light jacket, for example, or a coat or jacket that opens/closes in the front by way of a zipper, buttons, and/or other methods such as magnetic strips, Velcro™, etc. The lower-body part can be similar to pants, but with enhancements such as partially-zippered leg garment material, for example, which unzip to enable insertion of feet thereinto, and thereafter, zipped up, for example, for a snug fit of the given pant leg.

In a typical technique for a single-piece garment, the person inserts legs into the lower part of the garment, pulls up the garment for a snug fit to the waist, then inserts arms into the sleeves of the upper garment part, pulls the upper garment part over the upper body, and then closes the garment using the associated closure parts to prevent environmental conditions to enter into the garment while being worn.

As a single-piece garment, the coverall incorporates an upper-body portion (e.g., from the waist upward including all body parts and extremities/appendages to the top of the head) and a lower-body portion (e.g., from the waist downward including all body parts and extremities/appendages to the bottom of the feet and tips of the toes). The upper-body portion covers the abdomen and upper-body extremities/appendages from approximately the waist up, and the lower-body portion covers the lower body from the waist down, such as the legs or a two-part garment having pants (the bottom) and a coat (the top).

As a multi-part garment (e.g., two parts), a two-part garment can incorporate an upper-body part (e.g., defined as approximately from the waist upward with material to cover some or all body parts and extremities/appendages to the top of the head) and a lower-body part (e.g., defined as approximately from the waist downward including material to cover some or all body parts and extremities/appendages to the all points on the feet such as bottom of the feet and tips of the toes). The upper-body part can provide some overlap with the lower-body part.

The upper-body part can be a piece of material separate from the material of the lower-body part. The upper-body part can be similar to a pull-over top such as a coat or light jacket, for example, or a coat or jacket that opens/closes in the front by way of a zipper, buttons, and/or other garment closure methods such as magnetic strips, Velcro, etc. The lower-body part can be similar to pants, but with enhancements such as partially-zippered leg garment material, for example, which unzip to enable insertion of feet thereinto, and thereafter, zipped up, for example, for a snug fit of the garment to a given leg.

The single-piece and the multi-piece garments can further include flaps or covers in the pant legs near the lower part of the pant leg material that facilitate unfolding the flap or cover to lay over the shoe or foot (covered or uncovered) of the person to keep out unwanted debris, material, etc., such as water, snow, chemicals, and so on. When not needed or wanted for use, the user can then push/fold the flap or cover back up into the associated pant leg for storage and attached on the inside of the garment at that point. In another implementation, an inside pocket fabricated on the inside of one or both pant legs of the garment is sized to receive and store the flap or cover when not needed. The flap or cover material can be an elastic waterproof material (e.g., rubber) that when used is manually stretched of the toe, ankle area, or the entire foot or shoe. Thus, the user can cover the ankle with the elastic material before putting on the shoe, or cover the entire shoe once on the foot.

In another implementation, the flap or cover and/or associated pant material can be made fire-resistant, chemical-resistant, cold-resistant, water-resistant, and so on. In yet another implementation, the flap or cover can be a toe-protection device that when removed from the inside pocket and flipped out and over the toe, it provides toe protection similar to a steel-toed shoe typically fabricated as a single unit. The flap or cover can also be designed as an ankle-protection system that when removed from the inside pocket and flipped over the ankle, protects the ankle from blunt force, sharp objects, fire, etc. In yet another implementation, the ankle-protection design can also include straps that secure the garment material or a more durable material over and around the ankle when in use, to prevent or mitigate ankle injuries.

The single-piece and the multi-piece garments can further include full-garment open/close capability. In other words, the single-piece garment can include a full-length open/close technology (e.g., zipper, hook-and-loop, magnetics, buttons, etc.) that approximates the full length of the garment. For example, in one implementation, the full-length closure technology can be a zipper that when unzipped by the user (from the inside of the garment or the outside) opens the garments the entire length of the garment where the user can then remove the garment or step out of the garment.

The open/close technology (e.g., zipper) for either and/or both of the single-piece or/and multipiece garment can be applied on one side of the garment (or upper and lower garment parts) such as the left side, on the right side of the garment, or both left and right sides of the garment (or upper and lower garment parts). In another implementation, the open/close technology can be applied “cross-body”, where a zipper, for example, is employed from the upper right front of the abdomen, downward across the front of the upper garment part to the lower left of the upper garment part. In another implementation, the open/close technology can be employed which enables opening and closing the garment from a shoulder/neck area across body to the opposite ankle (e.g., right side neck/collar area to outside or inside of the left ankle area, left neck collar area to outside or inside of the right ankle area).

The garment can also include adjustable wrist straps that enable the user to snuck-down the wrist parts of the garment to the user wrists. The garment can also employ pockets attached on the inside surface(s) of the garment in which the user can place one or both hands, or other objects. In one design, the hidden pockets can be fabricated on the inside of the sleeves. Thus, the user can insert the right hand in the right sleeve hidden pocket, and the left hand into the left sleeve hidden pocket. The sleeve pockets can be used to store other objects.

Hidden pockets can also be employed in the pants (lower part) of the garment. A device sleeve can be provided to enable touch operation of a user interaction keypad and display touch-capable communications device such as a smart phone, for example. The garment can also include inside pockets (accessible only from the interior of the garment), outside pockets (accessible only from the exterior of the garment), and reach-through pockets which enable the person to reach through the pocket from the interior of the garment to the exterior and from the exterior of the garment to the interior. For example, deep waist pockets for receiving compatible objects can also be provided, and with open/close technology to capture the inserted object(s).

The garment can also employ electronics, electronic device (e.g., handheld) and/or electronics-capable connections (e.g., ports), and support parts such as inside pockets or pouches into which an electronic device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, watch, geolocation device such as GPS (global positioning system), sensors, etc.) can be held or stored. It can be the case, that some electronics and/or devices can be fabricated into the garment material without normal user access (e.g., no closure methods such as zippers, etc.). Additionally, the supplied electronic devices can, wired or wirelessly, communicate with a watch, for example, or other type of personal user devices such as cell phone, watch on the wrist or other user appendage with which to synchronize data and/or other information for storage and/or communication to another destination point (e.g., server, cloud storage, user home device(s), etc.). The smart watch can then be used to capture and store one or more “selfie” images, for example, and/or wirelessly transmit the image(s) to a user cellphone, computing device, etc.

Other types of electronics employed as part of the garment, such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) can be used to display artwork, text, messages, images, videos, and so on, while the garment is being worn. This capability finds use for a wide variety of purposes such as for safety purposes for highway maintenance workers, security personnel, identifying and tracking children, first responders (e.g., law enforcement, medical, etc.), and so on.

The garment can be used as “urban gear” (e.g., gear derived for a narrow customer base and from or developed according to an urban street look and/or from urban neighborhoods, rather than fashions designed by mainstream companies which cater to a wider customer base) in the single-piece coverall, and which coverall can be utilized as a rain suit, snow suit, etc. The garment material can be a lightweight/breathable waterproof material having the capability to be silk-screened to apply notations, identifiers, images, and other silk-screen capable imprints/designs, artwork, etc.

The garment system can also employ the capability to include water-initiated (or triggered) graphics to show a presentation such as a specific design, image, video, lighting, audio output, colored lighting, messaging, etc., when the garment detects wetness, or other environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, impacts (e.g., hail), dust, audio sounds, and so on. Fiber optics and LED lights can be used as a design function and visual display for creative art and for safety purposes.

Accordingly, there is disclosed, in one implementation, a garment, comprising: a single piece of material manufactured to enclose an upper-body portion of a person and a lower-body portion of the person; pockets manufactured into the material to accommodate at least one of an electronic device, an upper body extremity, or a lower body extremity; an electronics subsystem attached to the material for receiving and processing data and instructions to output a presentation; and a presentation subsystem of the material for presenting information according to the data and instructions.

The garment material can be a waterproof material. The waterproof material can be silk-screened to apply an inked design. The electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display a visual design or entertainment information according to the data and instructions. The electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display safety information or safety alerts according to the data and instructions. The pockets can include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of the material for receiving a hand and a cell phone. The pockets can include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of sleeve material for receiving a hand and a cell phone. The pockets can include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of the material near a waist of the person and into which one or both hands can be inserted.

The pockets can include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of the material near an ankle of the person and into which cover material is stored and can be accessed to cover a toe area of a shoe worn by the person. The single piece of material can include a cross-body piece which forms a cross-body opening through which enables getting into and out of the garment, wherein the cross-body piece can be secured in a closed position. The single piece of material can be manufactured as a coverall suitable for protection against inclement weather conditions which include rain and snow. The electronic subsystem is responsive to detection (by suitable and compatible onboard sensors) of an environmental condition (e.g., hot, cold, wet, windy, humidity variations, dusty, etc.) and causes a corresponding graphic (e.g., high wind, rainy, messages such as “cold with temperature as X degrees F.”, and forecast information, etc.) to be displayed via the presentation subsystem of the garment. The presentation subsystem employs optical fibers to present the information or a graphic.

In yet another implementation, a garment is disclosed comprising: a single piece of material manufactured to enclose an upper-body portion of a person and a lower-body portion of the person; a cross-body piece which forms a cross-body opening through which enables getting into and out of the garment, and the cross-body piece can be secured in a closed position; pockets manufactured into the material to accommodate at least one of an electronic device, an upper body extremity, or a lower body extremity; an electronics subsystem attached to the material for receiving and processing data and instructions to output a presentation; and a presentation subsystem of the material for presenting information according to the data and instructions.

The material can be a waterproof material which can be silk-screened to apply an inked design. The electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display a visual design, entertainment information, safety information, or safety alerts according to the data and instructions. The pockets include inside pockets manufactured on an interior surface of the material and through pockets manufactured in the material, the inside pockets for receiving a hand, a cell phone, both hands, store cover material for top and toe area of a shoe, and the through pockets for reaching through the material to the outside of the garment.

The electronic subsystem is responsive to detection of an environmental condition and causes a corresponding graphic to be displayed via the presentation subsystem of the garment. The electronic subsystem enables communication of the data and instructions for processing by a remote device.

In still another embodiment, there is disclosed a garment, comprising: a single piece of material manufactured to enclose an upper-body portion of a person and a lower-body portion of the person; a cross-body piece which forms a cross-body opening through which enables getting into and out of the garment, and the cross-body piece can be secured in a closed position; pockets manufactured into the material to accommodate at least one of an electronic device, an upper body extremity, or a lower body extremity, wherein the pockets include inside pockets manufactured on an interior surface of the material and through pockets manufactured in the material, the inside pockets for receiving a hand, an electronic communications device (e.g., cell phone), both hands, store cover material for top and toe area of a shoe, and the through pockets for reaching through the material to the outside of the garment; an electronics subsystem attached to the material for receiving and processing data and instructions to output a presentation, the electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display a visual design, entertainment information, safety information, or safety alerts, the electronic subsystem responsive to detection of an environmental condition and causes a corresponding graphic to be displayed via the presentation subsystem of the garment; and a presentation subsystem of the material for presenting information according to the data and the instructions.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an implementation of a multipurpose garment in accordance with the disclosed innovation.

FIG. 2 illustrates an adjustable garment which can employ removable garment parts for various purposes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right-side view of the garment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side view of the garment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back-side view of an enhanced garment, which employs electronics subsystems.

FIG. 6 illustrates a garment where an access part of the upper-body portion employs a different opening or access design.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative hood system that can be utilized with the garments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a garment system in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an onboard control system in accordance with the disclosed architecture, that can be employed for the onboard control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is multipurpose and multifunctional garment which can be designed as a single piece of material (a “coverall”) which the person slips extremities (e.g., arms, legs, etc.) into and pulls over the upper body to wear or a multi-part garment of several separate parts (e.g., an upper part and a lower part) which cooperate together for a specific function (e.g., wetness from rain). Alternatively, the garment can be designed and created as a multi-piece garment (e.g., two pieces, three-pieces, etc.). In both instances, the garments can employ numerous technological features on the outer surface and/or in the interior surface of the garment (referred to as “onboard” features). Such features can be electronic subsystems, sensor subsystems, communications subsystems, and so on.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. As used in this specification, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B”.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view 100 of an implementation of a multifunction and multipurpose garment 102 in accordance with the disclosed novel features. The garment 102 can be a single-piece of garment material into which are cut openings for body extremities and appendages such as neck, arms, legs, and so on, and which material is cut (fabricated) to be the various shapes and sizes of human beings. The multi-piece version of the garment is comprised of at least an upper body part and a lower body part (a two-piece garment). In this garment the upper body part is fabricated and cut to fit upper bodies of various human body shapes and sizes. Similarly, a matching lower body part is also fabricated and cut to fit lower bodies of various human shapes and sizes. Thus, the multipiece garment can provide “uppers” and “lowers” that can be mixed and matched as the user desires according to different features (e.g., pockets, onboard electronics, images, artwork, etc.).

In FIG. 1, the garment 102 can be a single-piece garment having various features. For example, the garment 102 has a cross-body piece 104 which enables the user to get into and out of the garment 102. The cross-body piece 104 can be designed into the garment 102 for a right-handed user or a left-handed user. The cross-body piece 104 can also be implemented using different access (e.g., open, close, etc.) mechanisms such as VELCRO, zipper(s) (e.g., inside and outside), buttons, snaps, magnetic strips, and so on, or combinations thereof such as zippers and VELCRO. The cross-body piece 104 can also include a collar access section 106 which enables the user to open/close the cross-body piece 104 up to the top of a collar 108.

The garment 102 can further include one or more inside pockets 110 (the inside pocket represented as a dotted line block) and one or more outside pockets 112 (the outside pocket represented as a solid line block) in which devices and/or objects can be stored. Although illustrated with inside and outside pockets (110 and 112) as part of an upper-body portion 114 of the garment 102, inside and/or outside pockets can be employed in the lower-body portion 116, the upper-body portion 114 and lower-body portion 116 delineated approximately by a dashed line 118.

Additionally, the pockets (inside 110 pocket and/or outside pocket 112) can be employed virtually anywhere on the garment 102 where deemed functional, such as the leg parts 120, on the front, side, and/or back of one or each of the leg parts 120, and upper-body portion 114 such as the front, side, and/or back of the abdomen part 122 of the garment 102, the front, side, and/or back of the sleeve parts 124 of the garment 102, and so on.

As illustrated, the garment 102 can include inside pockets in the sleeve parts 124 (for left arm and/or right arm), as well as wrist straps 126 (for left wrist and/or right wrist) which enable tightening of the sleeve material around the wrists of the person. In another implementation, the garment 102 can include ankle straps 128 (for left and/or right ankles) that function to enable the person to tighten garment material around the person's ankles during use. This can be particularly useful during inclement weather such as wet, rainy, windy, snowy, buggy, and stormy utilizations. As depicted, one or more of the sleeve parts 124 can include an inside sleeve pocket 130 into which the person can slip a hand to protect against the outside environmental elements/conditions such as the cold, wind, rain, snow, insects, etc. The leg parts 120 can also employ leg part access sections 132 as mechanisms for opening and closing the leg parts 120 for leg insertion or removal, where desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates an adjustable garment 200 which can employ removable garment parts for various purposes. Thus, the garment 200 can be an all-season and multipurpose/multifunctional garment which can be adjusted and worn for the various seasons of the year and purposes. For example, the garment 200 can have detachment mechanisms 202 (e.g., zippers, snaps, fasteners, VELCRO, etc.) for each of the sleeve parts 124 and the leg parts 120. The user can then re-attach the desired sleeve part 124 and/or the leg part 120 as desired. For example, on cool days the leg parts 120 can be removed while the sleeve parts 124 remain attached, until such time the user chooses to remove the sleeve parts 124 if the weather warms up. In another example, the sleeve parts 124 can be removed while the leg parts 120 are retained, such as when the user may be hiking in areas where low-lying sharp brush, rocks, snakes, ticks, bugs, etc., could impact the legs and ankles, and cause scratches, bites, or more serious injuries.

Note that adjustable garment 200 can also employ cross-body access to the inside of the garment 200 via the cross-body piece 104. Additionally, the adjustable garment 200 can employ some or all the features (e.g., inside pockets, outside pockets, wrist and ankle straps, zippered leg parts, etc.) shown for the garment 102 of FIG. 1.

In particular, the upper-body portion 114 can be retained to support the implementation of electronics subsystems such as computing devices, memory, wired and wireless interface connections (e.g., Bluetooth™, ports, etc.), power subsystems (e.g., battery, solar, etc.), display interconnections, wire interconnections between onboard garment electronics (e.g., lights, etc.), alert mechanisms (e.g., audio), and so on.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right-side view 300 of the garment 102. As depicted, the garment 102 (and garment 200) can further be designed to accommodate a hood system 302 for a connecting a hood 702 (shown in FIG. 7). In one implementation, the hood 702 can be manually attached to the collar area of the garment 102 via a hood mechanism 304 (e.g., zipper, VELCRO, magnetics, buttons, etc.). Alternatively, the hood system 302 can include an interior pouch 306 into which the hood 702 can be stored. In this alternative case, the hood system 302 can be opened (e.g., unzipped) and the hood stored therein pulled out for wearing over the head.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side view 400 of the garment 102. As depicted, the garment 102 (and garment 200) can further be designed to accommodate a hood 406 (similar to hood 702, but can be zipped open or closed around the person's head) that attaches to the collar area of the garment 102 via a hood attachment mechanism 302 (e.g., zipper, VELCRO, magnetics, buttons, etc.). Alternatively, the hood mechanism 302 can include the pouch 306 into which the hood 406 is stored until used. In this alternative case, the hood mechanism 302 can be opened (e.g., unzipped) and the hood stored therein pulled out for wearing over the head.

As further shown, the left-side view 400 depicts a cinch 402 at the waist area 404 which enables manual tightening of the garment material around the waist. The left-side view 400 also shows the inside sleeve pocket 130 (in the left sleeve) which can be used as a hand warmer, for example, a wrist strap 126 (on the left sleeve), and a left leg part access section 132 which makes it easier for the user to insert the left leg into the garment 102.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back-side view 500 of an enhanced garment 502 (similar to garments 102 and 200), which employs electronics subsystems (e.g., hardware component(s), software component(s), display, audio, etc.). In this embodiment, a back area 504 of the upper-body portion 114 shows a display section 506 from which content 508 can be presented. Here, the content 508 is text (“HWY MAINT”) as presented via a lighting technology (e.g., LEDs (light-emitting diodes)) that can withstand more severe impacts and climate conditions than typical lighting technologies such as bulbs, for example. Thus, when using LED lighting, the display section 506 can employ a matrix (e.g., an arrangement) 510 of LED elements controlled to display the desired content 508. Other technologies that can be employed are OLET (organic light emitting transistor) display technology, for example.

The lighting technology can be controlled via a control unit to display a variety of content compatible with the matrix 510. Thus, when using individual LED elements, the size of text, number of text characters, etc., can be limited. In a more robust implementation where the display section 506 employs a flexible display subsystem (which avoid glass structures but use flexible plastic film technologies such as OTFT (organic thin film transistor)-based flexible OLED (organic LED)), the capability to present more varied content is significantly increased.

The enhanced garment 500 can employ other electronic subsystems that enable the safety of the user. For example, the garment 500 can employ geolocation technology (e.g., GPS-Global Positioning System), an audio subsystem capable of outputting alarms, notifications, alerts, recognizable words, songs, and other media content. For example, the onboard computing system of the garment 500 can employ a sensor subsystem that among other things, detects the proximity of an oncoming object (e.g., vehicle) and in response sounds an alarm to the user and/or generates display content according to the sensed information.

FIG. 6 illustrates a garment 600 where an access part 602 of the upper-body portion 114 employs a different material opening or access design. Here, the access part 602 is designed to fold outward and downward to expose some or all of the upper-body of the person. Thus, the person can open the access part 602 by any one or more techniques of unzipping, unbuttoning, separating magnetic parts, separating VELCRO parts, etc. The person can then slip into the garment 600 and close the access part 602.

Alternatively, it can be the case that the access part 602 is on the backside of the garment 600, with the front side using the cross-body design. Thus, user access to the inside of the garment 600 (when undressed) and/or to the outside of the garment 600 (when dressed).

In this embodiment, the leg parts 120 can each include the leg part access section 132 previously described. The leg part access sections 132 can be designed on the front or back of the leg parts 120 or either side (left, right) of the leg parts 120.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative hood system 700 that can be utilized with the garments described herein. The hood system 700 comprises the hood 702 which can be collapsed and stored inside the upper-body portions of the disclosed garments (e.g., garment 102, garment 202, garment 600, etc.) such as in an interior pouch (e.g., pouch 306). Alternatively, the mask 704 can be sewn (or attached by some other attachment technique) into the hood 702

In this particular design, the hood system 700 further includes the mask 704 (e.g., stretchable) which can be deployed (worn) by the user over parts of the user face. The mask can be utilized to prevent inhalation (filter out) and exhalation of viruses and other undesirable aerosols, micron, and/or submicron particles. The mask 704 can be removed for cleaning. The mask 704 can be attached to the inside of the hood 702 via different types of attachment techniques such as VELCRO, buttons, snaps, magnetics, other commonly known attachment techniques and materials for temporarily attaching flexible materials together, etc. The mask 704 can also be designed to be stretched over the user's face to be deployed. In another design, the mask 704 can cover not only the user's face, but also the user's neck area.

FIG. 8 illustrates a garment system 800 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The garment system 800 includes a garment 802 (similar to garments 102, 200, 600, etc.) outfitted with several components such as an onboard control system (OCS) 804, and garment subsystems 806.

The garment subsystems 806 can include a charging subsystem 808 that enables charging of garment components that can be charged to store energy. Thus, charging can be achieved wirelessly (e.g., by induction), by a wired connection, batteries, and so on.

An interface subsystem 810 enables hardware, software, and electrical/electronic access (e.g., data exchange, control access, network connectivity (wired/wireless), etc.) for software control and updates, for example. The interface subsystem 810 can also facilitate the hardware/software connectivity and operation of garment accessories such as a first garment top that employs functionality different than a second garment top. Thus, the garment system 800 enables the utilization of different garment pieces designed and produced as new garment accessories to an existing (or legacy) garment (such as a garment piece) purchased by the user.

It is then within contemplation of the disclosed garment innovation that an accessory garment piece, when purchased, can be accompanied by software that enables operation of the accessory capabilities with the existing garments of the user.

Alternatively, or in combination therewith, the accessory garment, when “plugged in” (e.g., wirelessly, hardwired) to the existing user garment, will automatically seek connectivity to a networked(able) device 812 for the latest updates and/or a designated network server for download of the latest software to enable the latest features of the accessory garment. Connectivity can be achieved via the user phone, for example, and/or by other types of user devices (e.g., tablet, laptop, desktop computer, smart appliance, gaming console, etc.) accessible wirelessly (e.g., via Wi-Fi), and thereafter to one or more networks 814 (e.g., LAN, WAN, web, IoT (Internet of things), etc.).

A sensor subsystem 816 comprises one or more sensors on, in, or attachable to the garment fabric/material that can be employed to enhance use of the garment features. For example, sensors include, but are not limited to, optical sensors for the communications/detection of optical signals, audio input/output sensors, image input/output sensors for the capture of image and video information, humidity sensors for determining (inside) garment humidity data and outside (ambient) humidity data, proximity sensor (e.g., sonic, magnetic, etc.), an illumination sensor for detection the various grayscale and color shades, and motion sensor to detect movement of the garment and/or objects near the garment.

The sensor subsystem 816 can further include voice/speech recognition sensors and associated recognition processors to facilitate the detection and recognition of user speech and commands and language translation. Thus, the user can speak commands to control or impact the features of the garment 802, and do so in different languages.

A temperature control (“TEMP”) subsystem 818 can be employed to detect and control the temperature of the garment or underneath the garment. The temperature sensor can be employed for user and/or ambient temperature detection and data processing to effect other electronic actions and responses, for example.

A display subsystem 820 can be employed for the operation and control of any types of presentation devices and presentations of the garment. For example, a presentation can simply be one LED output (e.g., color yellow) which outlines a word or phrase that is then easily readable by others. The display subsystem 820 can also enable the user configuration and operational control of more complex display systems such as a flexible video display used on the garment or in cooperation with the garment. It can also be the case that the display subsystem 820 enables the presentation and display of data and other information on a user device (e.g., device 812) for viewing and interaction by the user.

The garment subsystem 806 can also employ other subsystems 822 that utilize vibration sensors, altimeter sensors, velocity sensors, pressure sensors, weather sensors, breath sensors (for analyzing user breath), biometric sensors to monitor and record body parameters such as heartrate, blood pressure, face recognition, hand motions, eye movement, arm motions, girth measurements, body fat, glucose, body impacts (at any points covered by the garment) by various objects, blood loss, body excretions, and so on.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a block diagram of an onboard control system (OCS) 900 in accordance with the disclosed architecture, that can be employed for the OCS 804, for example. Thus, OCS 804 and OCS 900 can be used interchangeably herein. It is appreciated, however, that the some or all aspects of the disclosed methods and/or systems can be implemented as a system-on-a-chip, where analog, digital, mixed signals, and other functions are fabricated on a single chip substrate.

In order to provide additional context for various aspects thereof, FIG. 9 and the following description are intended to provide a brief, general description of the suitable OCS 900 in which the various aspects can be implemented. While the description above is in the general context of computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computing systems, those skilled in the art will recognize that a novel implementation also can be realized in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

The OCS 900 for implementing various aspects includes (micro)processing unit(s) 902 (also referred to as microprocessor(s) and processor(s)), a memory subsystem 904 comprising a computer-readable storage medium such as a system memory and a storage subsystem 906 (computer readable storage medium/media also include magnetic disks, optical disks, solid state drives, external memory systems, and flash memory drives), and a bus system 908 (denoted using ellipsis . . . ). The processing unit(s) 902 can be any of various commercially available microprocessors such as single-processor, multi-processor, single-core units and multi-core units of processing and/or storage circuits.

The OCS 900 can be employed in support of cloud access and computing services. Cloud computing services, include, but are not limited to, infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, software as a service, storage as a service, desktop as a service, data as a service, security as a service, and APIs (application program interfaces) as a service, for example.

The memory subsystem 904 can include computer-readable storage (physical storage) medium such as a volatile (VOL) memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), static RAM for caching, etc.) and a non-volatile memory (NON-VOL) (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.), for example. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in the non-volatile memory, and includes the basic routines that facilitate the communication of data and signals between components within the OCS 900, such as during startup.

The bus system 908 provides an interface for system components including, but not limited to, the memory subsystem 904 to the processing unit(s) 902, and any wire/metal track interconnectivity between all modules such as a wired/wireless transceiver subsystem 910, operating system (OS) applications (Apps), software modules, and data components 912, a power subsystem 914 that provides power to all subsystems and components, and an I/O (input/output) subsystem 916 which includes all sensors (e.g., microphone, temperature, humidity, geolocation, level, pressure, and so on) and the electronics to operate and return data therefrom. The bus system 908 can be any of several types of commercially available bus architectures.

The power subsystem 914 can comprise technologies such as solely a battery system (where the user replaces batteries when discharged below a minimum power level), solely a utility outlet power (e.g., the soft product can be plugged into grid voltage such as 120 VAC to charge onboard batteries and/or operate solely on grid power), an induction technology where the user simply places the soft product proximate an induction plate to couple charging power into the onboard battery subsystem, or any combination of these power technologies. The power subsystem 914 can also receive power via a portable solar power system that can connect to the OCS (e.g., via a USB connector) and power the OCS subsystems of the soft product when away from grid power, such as at the beach or lake, for example.

The OCS 900 further includes machine readable storage subsystem(s) 906 (and storage interface(s)) for interfacing the storage subsystem(s) 906 to the bus system 908, and other desired components and circuits. The storage subsystem(s) 906 (physical storage media) can include one or more of a hard disk drive (HDD), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD), solid state drive (SSD), flash drives, and/or optical disk storage drive (e.g., a CD-ROM drive DVD drive), for example. The storage interface(s) included as part of the storage subsystem 906 can include commonly available interface technologies such as EIDE, ATA, SATA, and IEEE 1394, for example.

Although shown as separate blocks, one or more application programs, program data, OS, and other software modules of block 912 can be stored in the memory subsystem 904, a machine readable and removable memory subsystem (e.g., flash drive form factor technology), and/or the storage subsystem(s) 906 (e.g., optical, magnetic, solid state).

Generally, programs include routines, methods, data structures, other software components, etc., that perform particular tasks, functions, or implement particular abstract data types. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data in block 912 can also be cached in memory such as volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory of the memory subsystem 904, for example.

The storage subsystem 906 and memory subsystem 904 serve as computer readable media for volatile and non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so on. Such instructions, when executed by a computer or other machine, can cause the computer or other machine to perform one or more acts of a method.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose microprocessor device(s) to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. The instructions to perform the acts can be stored on one medium, or could be stored across multiple media, so that the instructions appear collectively on the one or more computer-readable storage medium/media, regardless of whether all of the instructions are on the same media.

Computer readable storage media (medium) exclude (excludes) propagated signals per se, can be accessed by the OCS 900, and include volatile and non-volatile internal and/or external media that is removable and/or non-removable. For the OCS 900, the various types of storage media accommodate the storage of data in any suitable digital format. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable medium can be employed such as zip drives, solid state drives, magnetic tape, flash memory cards, flash drives, cartridges, and the like, for storing computer executable instructions for performing the novel methods and processes of the disclosed architecture.

A user can interact with the OCS software components 912, and data using external user input devices as part of the I/O subsystem 916 such as a keyboard and a mouse, as well as by voice commands facilitated by speech and image recognition. Other external user input devices (sensors) can include a microphone, an IR (infrared) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, camera recognition systems, a stylus pen, touch screen, gesture systems (e.g., eye movement, body poses such as relate to hand(s), finger(s), arm(s), head, etc.), and the like. The user can interact with the OCS 804 programs and data using user input devices such a touchpad, microphone, keyboard, etc., where desired, for example.

These and other input devices are connected to the processing unit(s) 902 through input/output (I/O) subsystem 916 via the bus system 908, but can be connected by other interfaces such as a parallel port, IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, short-range wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) and other personal area network (PAN) technologies, etc. The I/O subsystem 916 also facilitates the use of output peripherals such as printers, audio devices, camera devices, and so on, such as a sound card and/or onboard audio processing capability.

The I/O subsystem 916 can comprise one or more graphics interface(s) (also commonly referred to as a graphics processing unit (GPU)) provide graphics and video signals on a display and/or between the OCS 900 and external display(s) (e.g., LCD, plasma) and/or onboard displays (e.g., for portable computer). The graphics interface(s) can also be manufactured as part of a system board which may be provided for the OCS 900.

The OCS 900 can operate in a networked environment (e.g., IP-based) using logical connections via the wired/wireless transceiver communications subsystem 910 to one or more networks and/or other devices or computers. The other computers can include workstations, servers, routers, personal computers, microprocessor-based entertainment appliances, peer devices or other common network nodes, and typically include many or all of the elements described relative to the OCS 900. The logical connections can include wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), hotspot, and so on. LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, mesh networks and mesh nodes, all of which may connect to a global communications network such as the Internet.

When used in a networking environment the OCS 804 connects to the network via a wired/wireless transceiver communication subsystem 910 (e.g., a network interface adapter, onboard transceiver subsystem, etc.) to communicate with wired/wireless networks, wired/wireless printers, wired/wireless input devices, and so on. The transceiver subsystem 910 of the OCS 900 can include a modem or other means for establishing communications over the network.

In a networked environment, programs and data relative to the OCS 900 can be stored in the remote memory/storage device, as is associated with a distributed system. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

The OCS 900 is operable to communicate with wired/wireless devices or entities using the radio technologies such as the IEEE 802.xx family of standards, such as wireless devices operatively disposed in wireless communication (e.g., IEEE 802.11 over-the-air modulation techniques) with, for example, a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), telephones, cell phones, smart phones and smart devices (e.g., smart TVs), for example. This includes at least Wi-Fi™ (used to certify the interoperability of wireless computer networking devices) for hotspots, WiMax, and Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communications can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11x (a, b, g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wire networks (which use IEEE 802.3-related technology and functions).

What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed architecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A garment, comprising:

a single piece of material manufactured to enclose an upper-body portion of a person and a lower-body portion of the person;
pockets manufactured into the material to accommodate at least one of an electronic device, an upper body extremity, or a lower body extremity;
an electronics subsystem attached to the material for receiving and processing data and instructions to output a presentation; and
a presentation subsystem of the material for presenting information according to the data and instructions.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the material is a waterproof material.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the waterproof material can be silk-screened to apply an inked design.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display a visual design or entertainment information according to the data and instructions.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display safety information or safety alerts according to the data and instructions.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pockets include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of the material for receiving a hand and a cell phone.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pockets include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of sleeve material for receiving a hand and a cell phone.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pockets include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface near a waist of the person and into which one or both hands can be inserted.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pockets include at least one inside pocket manufactured on an interior surface of the material near an ankle of the person and into which cover material is stored and can be accessed to cover a toe area of a shoe worn by the person.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the single piece of material includes a cross-body piece which forms a cross-body opening through which enables getting into and out of the garment, wherein the cross-body piece can be secured in a closed position.

11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the single piece of material is manufactured as a coverall suitable for protection against inclement weather conditions which include rain and snow.

12. The garment of claim 1, wherein the electronic subsystem is responsive to detection of an environmental condition and causes a corresponding graphic to be displayed via the presentation subsystem of the garment.

13. The garment of claim 1, wherein presentation subsystem employs optical fibers to present the information or a graphic.

14. A garment, comprising:

a single piece of material manufactured to enclose an upper-body portion of a person and a lower-body portion of the person;
a cross-body piece which forms a cross-body opening through which enables getting into and out of the garment, and the cross-body piece can be secured in a closed position;
pockets manufactured into the material to accommodate at least one of an electronic handheld device, an upper body extremity, or a lower body extremity;
an electronics subsystem attached to the material for receiving and processing data and instructions to output a presentation; and
a presentation subsystem of the material for presenting information according to the data and instructions.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the material is a waterproof material which can be silk-screened to apply an inked design.

16. The garment of claim 14, wherein the electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display a visual design, entertainment information, safety information, or safety alerts according to the data and instructions.

17. The garment of claim 14, wherein the pockets include inside pockets manufactured on an interior surface of the material and through pockets manufactured in the material, the inside pockets for receiving a hand, a cell phone, both hands, store cover material for top and toe area of a shoe, and the through pockets for reaching through the material to the outside of the garment.

18. The garment of claim 14, wherein the electronic subsystem is responsive to detection of an environmental condition and causes a corresponding graphic to be displayed via the presentation subsystem of the garment.

19. The garment of claim 14, wherein the electronic subsystem enables communication of the data and instructions for processing by a remote device.

20. A garment, comprising:

a single piece of material manufactured to enclose an upper-body portion of a person and a lower-body portion of the person;
a cross-body piece which forms a cross-body opening through which enables getting into and out of the garment, and the cross-body piece can be secured in a closed position;
pockets manufactured into the material to accommodate at least one of an electronic device, an upper body extremity, or a lower body extremity, wherein the pockets include inside pockets manufactured on an interior surface of the material and through pockets manufactured in the material, the inside pockets for receiving a hand, an electronic communications device, both hands, store cover material for top and toe area of a shoe, and the through pockets for reaching through the material to the outside of the garment;
an electronics subsystem attached to the material for receiving and processing data and instructions to output a presentation, the electronic subsystem comprises light-emitting diode lights to at least one of display a visual design, entertainment information, safety information, or safety alerts, the electronic subsystem responsive to detection of an environmental condition and causes a corresponding graphic to be displayed via the presentation subsystem of the garment; and
a presentation subsystem of the material for presenting information according to the data and the instructions.
Patent History
Publication number: 20220061412
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 23, 2021
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2022
Inventor: Robert E. Culver, II (Akron, OH)
Application Number: 17/409,364
Classifications
International Classification: A41D 1/00 (20060101); A41D 31/10 (20060101);