Devices, systems, and methods for characterizing user motion via a wearable article having a flexible circuit

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system configured to characterize a physical action performed by a user. The system can include a wearable article including a first flexible circuit including a first trace formed from a deformable conductor. The first flexible circuit is positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article. The system can further include a computing device configured to receive a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determine a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, determine a physical state of the first flexible circuit based on the first electrical parameter, compare the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article, and characterize the physical action performed by the user based on the comparison.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 268,063, filed February 15, 2022, entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Generating and Correlating Electrical Parameters to a User's Physical Movement," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 363,140, ​​filed July 11, 2022, entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Simulating Movements in a Virtual Environment via a Wearable Article Having a Flexible Circuit," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to flexible circuits, and more particularly to flexible circuits that can be integrated into wearable articles for physical movement in real-world environments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed herein and is not intended to be a complete description, although a complete understanding of the various embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, and abstract as a whole.

[0004] In various aspects, a system configured to characterize a physical action performed by a user is disclosed. The system can include a wearable article including a first flexible circuit including a first trace formed from a deformable conductor. The first flexible circuit is placed at a first location of interest on the wearable article. The system can further include a computing device configured to receive a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determine a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, determine a physical state of the first flexible circuit based on the first electrical parameter, compare the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article, and characterize the physical action performed by the user based on the comparison.

[0005] In various aspects, a system configured to simulate a user's physical actions via an avatar in a virtual environment is disclosed. The system may include a wearable article communicatively including a first flexible circuit. The first flexible circuit includes a first trace including a deformable conductor, and the first flexible circuit is positioned at a first location of interest on a glove. The system may further include a computing device including a processor and a memory configured to store a visualization engine. When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the processor receives a first signal from the first flexible circuit, determines a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, scales the first electrical parameter based on a predetermined simulation framework of the visualization engine, where the scaling of the first electrical parameter corresponds to a physical state of the first flexible circuit, compares the physical state of the first flexible circuit with a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article, and generates a simulation of the user's physical actions via the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

[0006] In various aspects, a wearable article configured to simulate a physical action performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment is disclosed herein. The wearable article can include a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor, and the first flexible circuit is positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article. The wearable article can further include a circuit configured to communicatively connect the first flexible circuit to a computing device. The computing device can include a processor and a memory configured to store a visualization engine, where the visualization engine, when executed by the processor, receives a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determines a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, scales the first electrical parameter based on a predetermined simulation framework of the visualization engine, the scaling of the first electrical parameter corresponds to a physical state of the first flexible circuit, compares the physical state of the first flexible circuit with a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article, and generates a simulation of the physical action performed by the user via the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

[0007] In various aspects, a method is disclosed for simulating a physical action performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, the method including the steps of: developing a framework for electrical parameters generated by a plurality of flexible circuits of a wearable article, the framework including a plurality of scales relating the electrical parameters generated by each flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits to a plurality of physical states of each flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits; receiving a plurality of signals generated in response to a user's action while wearing the wearable article, the plurality of signals corresponding to the electrical parameters generated by the plurality of flexible circuits of the wearable article; determining a first physical state of a first flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits based on a first received signal of the plurality of signals and the plurality of scales; determining a second physical state of a second flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits based on a second received signal of the plurality of signals and the plurality of scales; comparing the first physical state to the second physical state; and generating a simulation of the physical action performed by the user via the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

[0008] In various aspects, a glove configured to generate a virtual representation of a physical action performed by a user of the glove is disclosed. The glove can include a first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor and a first electrical feature electrically coupled to the first trace. The first electrical feature is positioned at a first location of interest on the glove. The glove can include a second flexible circuit including a second trace including a deformable conductor and a second electrical feature electrically coupled to the second trace. The second electrical feature is positioned at a second location of interest on the glove. The glove is configured to be communicatively coupled to a processor and a memory configured to store instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a first signal from the first flexible circuit, determine a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, associate the first electrical parameter with a first physical parameter associated with the first location of interest, receive a second signal from the second flexible circuit, determine a second electrical parameter based on the second signal, associate the second electrical parameter with a second physical parameter associated with the second location of interest, compare the first physical parameter associated with the first location of interest to the second physical parameter associated with the second location of interest, and generate a virtual representation of a physical action performed by a user of the glove based on the comparison of the first physical parameter associated with the first location of interest to the second physical parameter associated with the second location of interest.

[0009] In various aspects, a method is disclosed for generating a virtual representation of a physical action performed by a user of a glove including a plurality of flexible circuits, the method including: performing a first action while wearing the glove, generating, via a first flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits, a first electrical parameter associated with the first action, generating, via a camera, motion capture data associated with performance of the first action, correlating, via a processor communicatively connected to the glove, the generated motion capture data with the generated first electrical parameter, storing the correlation via a memory communicatively connected to the processor, repeating the first action while wearing the glove, and generating, via the processor, a virtual replica of the first action based solely on the stored correlation of the generated motion capture data to the generated first electrical parameter.

[0010] These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as its method of operation, function of associated elements of construction, and combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent from a study of the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, all of which constitute a part hereof, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the various views. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the scope of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] The various features of the aspects described herein are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However, the various aspects, both as to organization and method of operation, together with their advantages, may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a strain sensor system including a two-dimensional strain sensor according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates individual layers of the medium of the strain sensor system of FIG. 1, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B illustrates individual layers of the medium of the strain sensor system of FIG. 1, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C illustrates individual layers of the medium of the strain sensor system of FIG. 1, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D illustrates individual layers of the medium of the strain sensor system of FIG. 1, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2E] FIG. 2E illustrates individual layers of the medium of the strain sensor system of FIG. 1, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A shows traces of a strain sensor system in a relaxed and deformed state, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows traces of a strain sensor system in a relaxed and deformed state, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates another strain sensor in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable article disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable article disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable article disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable article disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable article disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates various electrodes that may be implemented via the wearable article disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates various sleeves that can form the wearable articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates various sleeves that can form the wearable articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates various sleeves that can form the wearable articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a circuit configured for use with any of the strain sensors, electrodes, and articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 16]FIG. 16 illustrates a method for relating data generated by strain gauge sensors to data generated by inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) data, according to at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates another flexible circuit configured for use with the articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 illustrates another flexible circuit configured for use with the articles disclosed herein, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 19] FIG. 19 illustrates an article configured to track a user's physical motion, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 20] FIG. 20 illustrates one of the substrates of the glove of FIG. 19 shown in FIG. 21, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 21] FIG. 21 illustrates another article configured to track a user's physical motion, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 22] FIG. 22 illustrates another substrate configured for use with another glove in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 23] FIG. 23 illustrates a method for generating a signal associated with an electrical parameter and associating the electrical parameter with a physical movement of a glove user, according to at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 24A] 24A shows the glove of FIG. 21 in use via the method of FIG. 23 in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24B] 24B shows the glove of FIG. 21 in use via the method of FIG. 23 in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 25] FIG. 25 illustrates a system configured to simulate movement in a virtual environment using a wearable article having a flexible circuit, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 26A] FIG. 26A illustrates a simulation framework configured to be executed via the system of FIG. 25 in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 26B] FIG. 26B illustrates a simulation framework configured to be executed via the system of FIG. 25 in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 26C] FIG. 26C illustrates a simulation framework configured to be executed via the system of FIG. 25 in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 27] FIG. 27 illustrates a method for simulating movement in a virtual environment using a wearable article having a flexible circuit, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 28] FIG. 28 illustrates another article configured to track a user's physical motion, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate, in one form, various aspects of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in this disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. The embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and therefore, it can be understood that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are representative and exemplary. Modifications and variations thereto can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0033] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or patent records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights disclosed herein.

[0034] Flexible and deformable electronic circuits have emerged as a means to revolutionize traditional electronics and introduce electronics into new products and applications. However, flexible electronic circuits would benefit if they could form a sealed internal cavity that could be filled with a compressible fluid. Such circuits could expand and contract in response to the selective insertion and / or removal of fluid from the internal cavity. Furthermore, changes in circuit shape can lead to subsequent changes in electrical parameters occurring across the inflatable circuit, which can be used to characterize the structural parameters or state of the circuit as desired. Indeed, inflatable circuits can provide numerous advantages for airbags, bladders, and / or cushions, which can be calibrated, monitored, and even controlled based on measured electrical parameters. Therefore, there is a need for devices, systems, and methods for manufacturing and using inflatable circuits.

[0035] While some electronic components typically have some inherent flexibility, that flexibility typically has limitations on the amount the component can flex, the ability to recover from the flexure, and the number of times the component can flex before degrading or breaking. As a result, the usefulness of such electronic components in various environments can be limited by reliability or durability, or by malfunction. Furthermore, the lateral dimensions of such electronic components place additional stresses on the electronic components.

[0036] However, the use of conductive gel can provide flexible, deformable electronic components while maintaining resilience. Furthermore, manipulating, bending, stretching, deforming, or otherwise physically manipulating conductive traces formed from conductive gel can produce predictable and measurable changes in the trace's electrical properties. By measuring such changes in the trace's resistance or impedance, the change in the trace's length can be inferred. By combining the length changes of multiple traces, the relative movement of a point on a two-dimensional surface can be calculated.

[0037] Two-dimensional strain sensors have been developed that utilize a network of conductive gel traces, whose individual electrical properties are converted into the relative length or other orientation of the traces. By combining the electrical properties, such as through triangulation or other mathematical processes, the relative positions of various points on a two-dimensional surface can be determined. Repeated measurements of these electrical properties over time can determine the motion of the points, enabling real-time motion capture of the points on the strain sensor. By scaling the network of traces and / or increasing the number of strain sensors and positioning them on an object, real-time motion capture of the object can be obtained.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a strain sensor system 100 including a two-dimensional strain sensor 102 in an exemplary embodiment. By way of example, the strain sensor system 100 can be configured similarly to that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 263,112, filed October 10, 2021, entitled "Two-Dimensional Motion Capture Strain Gauge Sensor," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The strain sensor 102 includes four traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d. Each of the traces 104a-d is made of a conductive gel, as disclosed in detail herein. The conductive gel is disposed on and sealed by a medium 106. Each of the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d extends between and is electrically coupled to one of two reference points 108a, 108b and an anchor point 110a, 110b. In the illustrated example, reference points 108a, 108b are not directly connected to one another, and anchor points 110a, 110b are not directly connected to one another.

[0039] Specifically, the medium 106 and strain sensor 102 may generally be formed according to the techniques described herein or according to other existing or to be developed mechanisms, including, but not limited to, injection molding, 3D printing, thermoforming, laser etching, die cutting, etc. The medium 106 may be formed from one of B-stage resin film, C-stage resin film, adhesive, thermosetting epoxy-based film, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and / or silicone, among other suitable compounds or materials. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments, any materials may be used, provided they can be unitized together. As an example, the medium 106 may include a layer having a tensile elongation of 550%, a tensile modulus of 5.0 megapascals, a recovery of 95%, a thickness of 100 micrometers, a peel strength at 90 degrees of at least 1.0 kilonewtons / meter, a dielectric constant at 10 gigahertz of 2.3, a dissipation factor at 10 gigahertz of 0.0030, a breakdown voltage at a thickness of 80 micrometers of 7.0 kilovolts, a heat resistance of 10 cycles at 260°C in a nitrogen atmosphere without any change, and a chemical resistance of 24 hours of immersion in either NaOH, Na2CO3, or a copper etchant without any change to the medium 106.

[0040] Details of an exemplary medium 106 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0381349, "Continuous Interconnection Between Dissimilar Materials," (Ronay et al.), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] The strain sensor 102 is configured to determine changes in the relative positions of the reference points 108a, 108b based on changes in the impedance / resistance of one or more of the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d. In particular, the strain sensor 102 is configured to determine the relative positions, according to a Cartesian coordinate system (x, y), of given reference points 108a, 108b on a plane defined by the medium 106 with respect to two anchor points 110a, 110b to which the reference points 108a, 108b are coupled via their associated traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d. Thus, for example, the relative position of the reference point 108a can be determined by determining the lengths of the traces 104a and 104b at any given time and / or by determining the relative positions (x, y) of the anchor points 110a, 110b.

[0042] The length of the traces 104a, 104b can be determined as a function of the resistance and / or impedance of a given trace 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d measured between the reference points 108a, 108b and the anchor points 110a, 110b joined by the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d. In the illustrated example, the strain sensor system 100 includes an electronic parameter sensor 112 operably coupled to a processor 114. The electronic parameter sensor 112 may be any device configured to detect or otherwise measure an electronic property, such as resistance, capacitance, or inductance. Thus, in various examples, the electronic parameter sensor 112 may be an ohmmeter or a resistance signal reader. Furthermore, the electronic parameter sensor 112 and the processor 114 may be separate components or may be integrated. In such an example, the processor 114 may be part of a chipset or package incorporating resistance signal reading and recording capabilities. In yet other examples, an analog-to-digital signal processor may be utilized to convert the analog resistance signal to a digital signal, which may be received by the processor 114. In examples where a remote processor is configured to receive signals from the strain sensors 102, wireless communication components embedded in the sensors may be configured to provide the signals to the processor 114.

[0043] While the illustrated strain sensor system 100 includes an electronic parameter sensor 112 and a processor 114, it should be appreciated and understood that one or both of the electronic parameter sensor 112 and the processor 114 may be remote with respect to the remainder of the strain sensor system 100 and / or cloud computing assets, etc. Furthermore, in various examples, the electronic parameter sensor 112 and / or the processor 114 may be components to which the strain sensor 102 is operatively coupled, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , or may be integrated into the strain sensor 102 itself. In examples where the processor 114 and / or the electronic parameter sensor 112 are remote from the strain sensor 102, a wireless communication module may be incorporated into the strain sensor 102 and provide data to the electronic parameter sensor 112 and / or the processor 114.

[0044] In various examples, the processor 114 does not require a calibrated or predetermined relationship between the impedances of given traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d to determine the relative positions of the reference points 108a, 108b and / or the relative positions of the anchor points 110a, 110b. In such examples, the processor 114 can determine the relative position (x, y) of the reference point 108a on the medium 106 by determining the position of the reference point 108a relative to the determined positions (x, y) of each of the anchor points 110a, 110b to which the traces 104a, 104b are coupled. In such examples, the position variables x and y of the reference point 108a may be determined by the processor 114 according to the following equations: JPEG2025530011000002.jpg190160

[0045] In the above equation, r is the impedance of a given trace 104a, 104b, as measured by the electronic parameter sensor 112 and provided to the processor 114. By applying the same equation to the reference point 108b, but similarly for traces 104c, 104d, the respective positions of the reference points 108a, 108b can be determined. The calculation is performed relatively frequently, for example, at least once per second, or at least 15 times per second, or at least 24 times per second, etc. This allows the strain sensor system 100 to obtain a real-time determination of the relative positions of the reference points 108a, 108b, and therefore the amount and rate of movement of the reference points 108a, 108b.

[0046] While the strain sensor system 100 is described with respect to measuring resistance or impedance, it is recognized and understood that any electrical measurement may be applied on a similar basis. Thus, for example, the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d may have or be configured to have an inductance, capacitance, or other measurable electronic property that may be altered based on deformation of the trace. Consequently, while an electronic parameter sensor 112 is described and illustrated, it is recognized and understood that any electronic instrument configured to sense and measure the relevant electronic property may be utilized in addition to or in place of the electronic parameter sensor 112 in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.

[0047] 2A-2E are diagrams of individual layers of medium 106 of strain sensor 102 in an exemplary embodiment. In the example of FIGS. 2A-2E, strain sensor 102 is a laminated structure in which individual layers of medium 106 are formed separately, laminated, and united together to create medium 106 as a whole. These layers may be formed according to the iterative stencil-in-place process described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0066628, entitled "Structure with Deformable Conductors," filed August 22, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, as noted above, forming strain sensor 102 as a laminated structure is exemplary and not intended to be limiting, and any suitable technique for fabricating strain sensor 102 can be applied instead of or in addition to the process of fabricating strain sensor 102 as a laminated structure. The layer views are taken along the major axis of the strain sensor 102 and are therefore either top or bottom views of the layers relative to the perspective of FIG.

[0048] 2A-2E can be formed using any of the methods described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070850, filed February 25, 2022, and entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Manufacturing and Using Highly Sustainable Circuits," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, after the deformable conductor is deposited on the substrate layer, the stencil layer can be melted and removed from the assembly, and / or the deformable conductor can be reclaimed.

[0049] 2A shows a substrate layer 202. The substrate layer 202 may be formed from one of the materials described above for the medium 106, and may ultimately have the traces 104 a, 104 b disposed thereon but may otherwise be featureless, and in various examples may provide insulation for and / or containment of the conductive gel.

[0050] 2B illustrates a first patterned layer 204. The first patterned layer 204 includes traces 104a, 104b, which may be formed of a material other than those described above for the medium 106 and may be formed as channels containing a conductive gel formed in the medium 106. Additionally, a first reference via 206 and a first anchor via 208 are operably coupled to the respective traces 104a, 104b and provide electrical access to the traces 104a, 104b through various layers of the strain sensor 102. The vias 206, 208 may be formed from a conductive gel or any suitable conductor. Optionally, another patterned layer may be formed to include various features of the trace pattern, such that the first patterned layer 204 is a composite layer made from two individual layers.

[0051] 2C illustrates an insulating layer 210. The insulating layer 210 is formed of a material other than those described above for the medium 106 and includes a first reference via 206 and a first anchor via 208 extending through the insulating layer 210.

[0052] 2D illustrates a second patterned layer 212. The second patterned layer 212 is formed of a material other than those described above for the medium 106 and includes traces 104c, 104d, which may be formed as channels containing a conductive gel formed in the medium 106. A first reference via 206 and a first anchor via 208 extend through the second patterned layer 212, and a second reference via 214 and a second anchor via 216 are operably coupled to the traces 104c, 104d. Optionally, another patterned layer may be formed to include various features of the trace pattern, such that the second patterned layer 212 is a composite layer made from two individual layers.

[0053] 2E shows encapsulation layer 218. The encapsulation layer 218 is formed of a material separate from that described above for medium 106 and includes first reference via 206, first anchor via 208, second reference via 214, and second anchor via 216, all of which are exposed beyond medium 106 to operably couple strain sensor 102 to electronic parameter sensor 112, as shown in FIG.

[0054] It should be appreciated and understood that the various layers are presented by way of example and not limitation, and that any of a variety of additional or alternative layers can be incorporated into the laminate structure as desired. The laminate structure can incorporate at least one substrate layer onto which a conductive gel is disposed, at least one patterned layer forming at least one trace, and at least one encapsulation layer that encapsulates the trace or other components of the laminate structure. The laminate structure may further include stencil layers (e.g., for cases where a stencil-in-place manufacturing process is utilized), conductive layers (e.g., for relatively high-power buses, sensors, ground planes, shields, etc.), insulating layers (e.g., between the substrate layer, conductive layer, stencil layer, and / or encapsulation layer that primarily insulates the traces or conductive layers from one another), electronic components not necessarily formed according to the processes disclosed herein (e.g., surface-mount capacitors, resistors, processors, etc.), vias for connecting between layers, and contact pads. The various layers can all be the same material, or one or more layers can be formed from different materials than the other layers to form the laminate circuit structure.

[0055] A collection of layers in a laminate structure may be referred to as a "stack." A final or intermediate structure may include at least one unitized stack (or multiple stacks, e.g., using modular construction techniques). Unitization may include one or more steps, alone or in combination, including the application of heat and / or pressure (including vacuum) and / or curing operations. Additionally or alternatively, the structure may include one or more unitized laminates having at least one electronic component. A laminate assembly may include multiple laminate structures, e.g., in a modular structure. The assembly may utilize an island architecture including a first laminate structure ("island"), which may itself typically be a laminate structure with an electrical component disposed thereon, but is not limited to such, or may be a laminate structure such as a discrete sensor, bonded to a second laminate structure, which may include traces and vias configured, e.g., as in a conventional printed circuit board ("PCB"), that function as a pathway for, for example, signals, current, or potentials to travel between the island and other supporting structures (e.g., sensors).

[0056] 3A and 3B are abstract illustrations of the traces of the strain sensor 102 in a relaxed configuration and a deformed configuration, respectively. The strain sensor 102 is considered to be in a relaxed configuration when no external force is acting on the strain sensor 102 to deform the strain sensor 102 by stretching, bending, etc. The strain sensor 102 is considered to be in a deformed configuration when an external force is acting on the strain sensor 102 to deform the strain sensor 102 by stretching, bending, etc., such that one or more of the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d elongate or contract relative to their length in the relaxed configuration. Note that FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrated in a two-dimensional plane. However, it should be appreciated and understood that the principles described with respect to two dimensions equally apply to three-dimensional strains applied to the strain sensor 102.

[0057] In the illustrated example, in the relaxed configuration, traces 104a, 104d are substantially equal in length, e.g., within 5 percent, resulting in approximately equal resistance or impedance. Similarly, traces 104b, 104c are also substantially equal in length, resulting in approximately equal distances. In this situation, processor 114 determines that the relative (x, y) positions of reference points 108a, 108b are in a relaxed state.

[0058] In the deformed configuration, an external force causes reference point 108a to move relative to reference point 108b. In the illustrated example, the lengths, and therefore the resistances, of traces 104c and 104d have not changed substantially, such that processor 114 is configured to determine that the strain sensor 102 proximate reference point 108b is not under strain, at least on a relative basis. However, the lengths, and therefore the resistances, of traces 104a and 104b have changed, such that the lengths of traces 104a and 104b in the relaxed state have shortened for trace 104a and lengthened for trace 104b. As a result, processor 114 is configured to determine that the strain sensor 102 proximate reference point 108a has undergone strain.

[0059] Strain applied to the strain sensor 102 at different locations will cause the strain sensor 102 to deform differently, resulting in traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d being longer or shorter than those depicted here. Additionally, while two traces are shown to have constant lengths, any or all of traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d may change length, which may result in a different measured resistance. Additionally, the strain sensor 102 may be sensitive to multiple forces acting on the strain sensor 102, to the extent that different forces appear at different locations on the strain sensor 102.

[0060] 4 is an abstract diagram of strain sensor 402 in an exemplary embodiment. In contrast to strain sensor 102, strain sensor 402 includes four reference points 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d. In this example, reference points 404c and 404d can function as virtual anchor points for reference points 404a and 404b. As a result, the resistance on trace 406a can be measured from reference point 404a to reference point 404c, and so on.

[0061] The relative position of each reference point 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d is determined by two traces 406, respectively. For clarity, the traces 406 associated with each reference point 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d are indicated by specific dashed lines. Thus, the relative position (x, y) of reference point 404a is determined based on the resistance of traces 406a and 406b, the relative position of reference point 404c is determined based on the resistance of traces 406e and 406f, and so on. The principles disclosed herein are readily scalable to any number of reference points across any area. The number of inputs to the electronic parameter sensor 112 or ohmmeter can be scaled proportionally with the processing resources of the processor 114.

[0062] It should further be appreciated and understood that the number of traces associated with a given reference point may be expanded based on the available traces. In various examples, the relative position of a reference point may be determined based on three or more traces rather than just two, and the equations described above are expanded to incorporate the additional traces. However, in further examples, additional traces beyond two for each reference point 404 may be treated as redundant traces. Thus, while the processor 114 may utilize only two traces to determine the relative position of a given reference point, if a trace to the reference point 404 becomes broken, the processor 114 may utilize another unbroken trace to determine the relative position of the reference point 404.

[0063] By including multiple reference points 404 on a single strain sensor and / or multiple strain sensors, a real-time three-dimensional model of a larger object can be created. Thus, for example, a wearable article may have a trace extending throughout the wearable article, which is coupled to many reference points distributed throughout the wearable article. By periodically determining the relative position of each reference point, the processor 114 can readily create a three-dimensional model of the wearable article based on changes in the relative position of each reference point with respect to neighboring reference points.

[0064] The strain sensors disclosed herein can be adapted for various use cases, allowing the lengths of the traces to be optimized for the conditions of the wearable or other article to which the strain sensor is attached. Thus, for example, some traces may be relatively long and have reference points spaced apart in particular locations where strain is not expected, such as along the fingers of a glove, while other traces may be relatively short and have reference points spaced closer together in locations where strain is expected, such as the palm or back of a glove.

[0065] Conductive compositions, such as conductive gels, included in the articles described herein can have a paste-like or gel-like consistency that can be created by taking advantage of the structure that gallium oxide can impart to a composition when mixed with a eutectic gallium alloy, for example, gallium oxide can form microstructures or nanostructures, as further described herein, that can alter the bulk material properties of the eutectic gallium alloy.

[0066] As used herein, the term "eutectic" generally refers to a mixture of two or more phases, the composition of which has the lowest melting point at which they simultaneously crystallize from a molten solution. The ratio of phases to obtain a eutectic is specified by the eutectic point on a phase diagram. One of the characteristics of a eutectic alloy is its sharp melting point.

[0067] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the strain sensor 102 of FIGS. 2A-2E may be formed using any of the methods described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070853, filed February 25, 2022, entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Manufacturing and Using Circuit Assemblies Having Patterned Deformable Conductive Material," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, as described with reference to FIG. 2A, traces made from deformable conductors may be deposited directly onto the substrate layer 202 and then sealed without including a stencil layer in the final layup assembly, thereby eliminating the need for a stencil layer. For example, the properties of the deformable conductive material and / or the properties of the layers surrounding the pattern of deformable conductive material may be tailored and / or optimized to ensure that the pattern of deformable conductive material heals upon unitization of the surrounding layers. For example, the deformable conductive material may be optimized to have a viscosity that allows the deformable conductive material to heal upon unitization of the layers, but does not deform excessively and fail to achieve the intended pattern. As another example, the adhesive properties and / or viscosity of the deformable conductive material may be optimized such that upon removal of the removable stencil 50, it remains on the substrate layer but does not adhere to the stencil channels 504, 506, thereby causing the deformable conductive material to lift from the substrate layer. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the deformable conductive material may be in the range of about 10 Pascal seconds (Pa*s) and 500 Pa*s, e.g., in the range of 50 Pa*s and 300 Pa*s, and / or about 50 Pa*s, about 60 Pa*s, about 70 Pa*s, about 80 Pa*s, about 90 Pa*s, about 100 Pa*s, about 110 Pa*s, about 120 Pa*s, about 130 Pa*s, about 140 Pa*s, about 150 Pa*s, about 160 Pa*s, about 170 Pa*s, about 180 Pa*s, about 190 Pa*s, or about 200 Pa*s under high shear (e.g., operating conditions).In some embodiments, the viscosity of the deformable conductive material may be in the range of 1,000,000 Pa*s and 40,000,000 Pa*s, and / or about 10,000,000 Pa*s, about 20,000,000 Pa*s, about 30,000,000 Pa*s, or about 40,000,000 Pa*s under low shear (e.g., at rest).

[0068] The conductive compositions described herein may have any suitable conductivity, for example, about 2×10 5 S / m~approx. 8×10 5 It can have a conductivity of S / m.

[0069] The conductive compositions described herein can have any suitable melting point, for example, a melting point of about -20°C to about 10°C, about -10°C to about 5°C, about -5°C to about 5°C, or about -5°C to about 0°C.

[0070] The conductive composition can include a mixture of a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide, the mixture of a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide including, in weight percent (wt%), between about 59.9% and about 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy, e.g., between about 67% and about 90% eutectic gallium alloy, and between about 0.1% and about 2.0% gallium oxide, e.g., between about 0.2% and about 1% gallium oxide. For example, the conductive composition may be about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 100%, about 101%, about 102%, about 103%, about 104%, about 105%, about 106%, about 107%, about 108%, about 109%, about 110%, about 111%, about 112%, about 113%, about 114%, about 115%, about 116%, about 117%, about 118%, about 119%, about 120%, about 121%, about 122%, about 123%, about 124%, about 125%, about 126%, about 127%, about 128%, about 129%, about 130%, about 131%, about 132%, about 133%, about 134%, about 135%, about 136%, about 137%, about 138%, about 139%, about 140%, about 141%, about 142%, about 143%, about 144%, about 145%, about 146%, about 147%, about 148%, about 149%, about 1 The alloy may have about 5%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or more, for example about 99.9%, eutectic gallium alloy and about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1.0%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, or about 2.0% gallium oxide.

[0071] The eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium-indium or gallium-indium-tin in any element ratio. For example, the eutectic gallium alloy includes gallium and indium. The conductive composition can have any suitable weight percent of gallium in the gallium-indium alloy between about 40% and about 95%, such as about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%. 1%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95%.

[0072] The conductive composition can have a weight percent of indium in the gallium-indium alloy between about 5% and about 60%, for example, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%.

[0073] Eutectic gallium alloys can include gallium and tin. For example, the conductive composition can have a weight percent of tin in the alloy between about 0.001% and about 50%, such as about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 7 about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, or about 50%.

[0074] The conductive composition can include one or more micro- or submicron-scale particles mixed with a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide. The particles can be coated with a eutectic gallium alloy or gallium, sealed with gallium oxide, or uncoated and suspended in the eutectic gallium alloy. The micro- or submicron-scale particles can range in size from nanometers to micrometers and can be suspended in gallium, gallium-indium alloy, or gallium-indium-tin alloy. The ratio of particles to alloy can be varied to alter the flow characteristics of the conductive composition. The micro- and nanostructures can be mixed into the conductive composition by sonication or other suitable means. The conductive composition can include a colloidal suspension of micro- and nanostructures in a eutectic gallium alloy / gallium oxide mixture.

[0075] The conductive composition can further include one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles dispersed therein. This can be achieved by any suitable method, including suspending eutectic gallium alloy or gallium-coated particles sealed with gallium oxide, or particles that are not coated by the aforementioned methods, within the conductive composition or, in particular, within a eutectic gallium alloy fluid. These particles can range in size from nanometers to micrometers and can be suspended in gallium, gallium-indium alloy, or gallium-indium-tin alloy. The ratio of particles to alloy can be varied to, among other things, alter the fluid properties of the alloy and / or conductive composition. Furthermore, the addition of auxiliary materials to the colloidal suspension or eutectic gallium alloy can enhance or alter, among other things, its physical, electrical, and thermal properties. The distribution of microstructures and nanostructures within the eutectic gallium alloy and / or conductive composition can be achieved by any suitable means, including sonication or other mechanical means, without the addition of particles. In certain embodiments, one or more microparticles or submicron particles are mixed with at least one of the eutectic gallium alloy and the conductive composition at a wt% between about 0.001% and about 40.0%, e.g., about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, or about 11%. , about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, or about 40%.

[0076] The one or more microparticles or submicron particles can be made of any suitable material, including soda glass, silica, borosilicate glass, quartz, copper oxide, silver-coated copper, non-oxidized copper, tungsten, supersaturated tin granules, glass, graphite, silver-coated copper, e.g., silver-coated copper spheres, and silver-coated copper flakes, copper flakes, or copper spheres, or combinations thereof, or any other material that can be wetted by at least one of the eutectic gallium alloy and the conductive composition. The one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles can have any suitable shape, including spheroids, rods, tubes, flakes, plates, cubes, prisms, pyramids, cages, and dendrimers. The one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles can have any suitable size, including sizes ranging from about 0.5 microns to about 60 microns, for example, about 0.5 microns, about 0.6 microns, about 0.7 microns, about 0.8 microns, about 0.9 microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 3 microns, about 4 microns, about 5 microns, about 6 microns, about 7 microns, about 8 microns, about 9 microns, about 10 microns, about 11 microns, about 12 microns, about 13 microns, about 14 microns, about 15 microns, about 16 microns, about 17 microns, about 18 microns, about 19 microns, about 20 microns, about 21 microns, about 22 microns, about 23 microns, and the like. clonal, about 24 microns, about 25 microns, about 26 microns, about 27 microns, about 28 microns, about 29 microns, about 30 microns, about 31 microns, about 32 microns, about 33 microns, about 34 microns, about 35 microns, about 36 microns, about 37 microns, about 38 microns, about 39 microns, about 40 microns, about 41 microns, about 42 microns, about 43 microns, about 44 microns, about 45 microns, about 46 microns, about 47 microns, about 48 microns, about 49 microns, about 50 microns, about 51 microns, about 52 microns, about 53 microns, about 54 microns, about 55 microns, about 56 microns, about 57 microns, about 58 microns, about 59 microns, or about 60 microns.

[0077] The conductive compositions described herein can be produced by any suitable method, including mixing a surface oxide formed on the surface of a eutectic gallium alloy into the bulk of the eutectic gallium alloy by shear mixing of the surface oxide / alloy interface. Shear mixing of such compositions can induce cross-linked microstructures in the surface oxide, thereby forming a conducting, shear-thinning gel composition. Within the eutectic gallium alloy / gallium oxide mixture, a colloidal suspension of microstructures can be formed, for example, as gallium oxide particles and / or sheets.

[0078] The surface oxide can be mixed in any suitable ratio, for example, about 59.9% (by weight) to about 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy and about 0.1% (by weight) to about 2.0% gallium oxide. For example, the weight percentage of the gallium alloy mixed with gallium oxide may be about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 100%, about 101%, about 102%, about 103%, about 104%, about 105%, about 106%, about 107%, about 108%, about 109%, about 110%, about 111%, about 112%, about 113%, about 114%, about 115%, about 116%, about 117%, about 118%, about 119%, about 120%, about 121%, about 122%, about 123%, about 124%, about 125%, about 126%, about 127%, about 128%, about 129%, about 130%, about 131%, about 132%, about 133%, about 134%, about 135%, about 136%, about 137%, about 138%, about 139%, about 140%, about 141%, about 142%, about 143%, about 144%, about 145%, about 146%, about 147%, about 1 %, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or more, for example, about 99.9%, while the weight percentage of gallium oxide is about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1.0%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, or about 2.0% gallium oxide. In some embodiments, the eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium-indium or gallium-indium-tin in any ratio of the listed elements. For example, the eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium and indium.

[0079] The weight percent of gallium in the gallium-indium alloy can be between about 40% and about 95%, for example, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95%.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the weight percentage of indium in the gallium-indium alloy can be between about 5% and about 60%, for example, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 1 %, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%.

[0081] The eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium, indium, and tin. The weight percentage of tin in the gallium-indium-tin alloy can be between about 0.001% and about 50%, for example, about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.4%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, or about 12%. , about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, or about 50%.

[0082] The weight percent of gallium in the gallium-indium-tin alloy can be between about 40% and about 95%, for example, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95%.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, the weight percent of indium in the gallium-indium-tin alloy can be between about 5% and about 60%, for example, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 7%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%.

[0084] The eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide can be mixed with one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles. For example, one or more microparticles or submicron particles can be mixed with the mixture such that the wt% of the microparticles in the composition is between about 0.001% and about 40.0%, e.g., about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, or about 40%. In some embodiments, the particles can be soda glass, silica, borosilicate glass, quartz, copper oxide, silver-coated copper, non-oxidized copper, tungsten, supersaturated tin granules, glass, graphite, silver-coated copper, e.g., silver-coated copper spheres or flakes, copper flakes or spheres, or combinations thereof, or other materials wettable by gallium. In some embodiments, the one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles are in the shape of spheroids, rods, tubes, flakes, plates, cubes, prisms, pyramids, cages, and dendrimers.In certain embodiments, the one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles range in size from about 0.5 microns to about 60 microns, e.g., about 0.5 microns, about 0.6 microns, about 0.7 microns, about 0.8 microns, about 0.9 microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 3 microns, about 4 microns, about 5 microns, about 6 microns, about 7 microns, about 8 microns, about 9 microns, about 10 microns, about 11 microns, about 12 microns, about 13 microns, about 14 microns, about 15 microns, about 16 microns, about 17 microns, about 18 microns, about 19 microns, about 20 microns, about 21 microns, about 22 microns, about 23 microns, about 24 microns, about 25 microns, about 26 microns, about 27 microns, about 28 microns, about 29 microns, about 30 microns, about 31 microns, about 32 microns, about 33 microns, about 34 microns, about 35 microns, about 36 microns, about 37 microns, about 38 microns, about 39 microns, about 40 microns, about 41 microns, about 42 microns, about 43 microns, about 44 microns, about 45 microns, about 46 microns, about 47 microns, about 48 microns, about 49 microns, about 50 microns, about 51 microns, about 52 microns, about 53 microns, about 54 microns, about 55 microns, about 56 microns, about 57 microns, about 58 microns, about 59 microns, or about 60 microns.

[0085] Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits or binary digital signals in a machine memory (e.g., computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As used herein, an "algorithm" is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processes leading to a desired result. In this context, algorithms and operations involve physical manipulations of physical quantities. Typically, though not necessarily, such quantities can take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated by a machine. It is sometimes convenient, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using terms such as "data," "content," "bits," "values," "elements," "symbols," "characters," "terms," ​​"numbers," "numerals," or the like. However, these terms are merely convenient labels to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities.

[0086] Unless otherwise noted, discussions herein using words such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "presenting," and "displaying" may refer to machine (e.g., computer) operations or processes that manipulate or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities in one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information. Furthermore, unless otherwise noted, the terms "a" or "an" are used herein, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more instances. Finally, the conjunction "or" as used herein means a non-exclusive "or" unless otherwise noted.

[0087] According to some non-limiting embodiments, a glove is disclosed that comprises one or more tubular structures, such as a joint monitoring sleeve. The glove may utilize an array of sensors, control circuitry, at least one user input device, and at least one display device. The glove may be made from one or more joint monitoring sleeves configured to be worn around a user's forearm, wrist, palm, and / or fingers, and may be similar to the glove disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 157,812, filed March 7, 2021, and entitled "Joint Monitoring Sleeve," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0088] One embodiment of such a device contemplated by the present disclosure is shown beginning with Figure 19, which implements a plurality of "sleeves" configured to be worn as gloves around a user's hand, fingers, and a portion of the user's wrist and / or forearm. Alternatively, the sleeves may be configured to be worn as elbow braces, ankle braces, wrist braces, or braces for any anatomical joint desired to be monitored, embodying the principles described with reference to the exemplary gloves of the present disclosure.

[0089] 12-14, the gloves disclosed herein can be formed from a substantially tubular member made from fabric, neoprene, or other materials known for use as athletic or medical prosthetics. Because these types of gloves are intended to stretch during use and when worn on the body, it has typically been difficult to securely attach or integrate electronics without causing significant discomfort to the end user or experiencing high failure rates of the integrated sensors and associated electronics.

[0090] The gloves described herein may utilize the deformable conductor and circuit fabrication techniques disclosed in the above-referenced patent applications, which are incorporated by reference. The use of these techniques and materials allows for the seamless integration of an array of sensors onto the glove material in an unobtrusive manner while generating reliable data regarding several parameters related to the end user's joint, e.g., the user's hand.

[0091] Range of motion during hand flexion is essential for tracking the user's movements while wearing the gloves and can be an important indicator of hand joint health. Our measuring gloves actively monitor the flexibility of a patient's wrist during activity. The strain sensors are realized by traces made from deformable conductors that move with the joint. They also do not degrade even after thousands of strain cycles, eliminating the need for continuous calibration. Additionally, smaller strain sensors may be placed near the front of the shin to measure swelling.

[0092] According to some non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure, several types of commercially available electromyography ("EMG") sensors can be used with the gloves described herein, many of which may function adequately for most wearer and glove size combinations. Examples of usable EMG sensors generally include dry and wet electrode type EMG sensors. It should be understood that the use of conductive gel for wet electrodes may typically provide the most reliable signal, but may also be the least convenient and comfortable for the user over extended periods of use, at least due to associated contamination of the conductive gel. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, dry electrode EMG sensors are incorporated into the gloves.

[0093] Examples of electrode types that can be incorporated into the gloves include flexible, dry silver nanowire-type electrodes embedded in PDMS, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 127,455, filed April 7, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other electrode types can include silver-silver chloride pellet-type EMG electrodes, such as those manufactured by J+J Engineering, including models SE-13 and SE-12. A variety of other electrode configurations can also be effectively utilized, and the foregoing examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.

[0094] As can be appreciated, the exemplary electrodes described above differ in configuration, but when integrated into the sleeve embodiments contemplated herein, can be used to collect similar biometric data and signals. Another similarity between these electrodes is the relatively large surface area available for contacting the wearer's skin. For example, the SE-12 electrode has a circular contact area approximately 8 mm in diameter, while the SE-13 electrode is similar but has a corresponding larger diameter of approximately 17 mm. Electrodes can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, and the above-referenced application does not take into account the size of the EMG sensor. In embodiments of the present invention, electrodes of at least approximately 20 mm in diameter are used. 2 It is beneficial and / or preferred to have a surface contact area of ​​about 130 mm. This surface contact area may correspond, for example, to a circular contact area having a diameter of about 5 mm, or to a rectangular contact area of ​​about 4.5 mm in both width and length. More preferably, the contact area is about 130 mm. 2 As in the example above, this corresponds to an electrode with a diameter of about 13 mm, or an equal length and width of about 11.5 mm. In another example, the EMG sensor or electrode may have a surface area of ​​900 mm. 2 may have a surface area of

[0095] As with the previous example, this may correspond to a surface contact area having a diameter of approximately 34 mm, or a surface contact area having the same length and width of approximately 30 mm. A larger contact area may be acceptable depending on the muscle group whose activity is being measured or monitored. In such cases, the contact area of ​​the electrode or EMG sensor may be limited by the available area of ​​the sleeve member, which may be determined by considerations of pliability, flexibility, stretchability, or other similar factors associated with the remaining electronics and sensors integrated into the sleeve and the joint intended to be housed within the sleeve. It should be understood that other shapes and configurations may be selected, thereby meeting the above area limitations, even if they have different characteristic dimensions.

[0096] A challenge associated with the EMG sensor example above is obtaining an adequate signal from the sensor in some use cases and conditions: Because limbs housed within gloves or sleeves vary in size, pressure variations may result in different contact quality between the sensor and the skin of some wearers.

[0097] While the exemplary electrode and sensor configurations described above can provide acceptable data and / or signals for monitoring intended activity in a user's muscles or muscle groups, Applicant has discovered novel modifications and improvements to such commercially available and / or experimental electrodes. Applicant has further discovered that incorporating an improved EMG electrode design can result in increased reliability and improved signals. Because gloves are tubular members that exert radial pressure on the underside of the sensor electrodes, surface contact between the electrode contact surface and the user's body results in associated deflection of the user's skin. If there is a mismatch or suboptimal combination between the selected glove or sleeve size and the size of the wearer's body part, a reliable contact interface between the sensor and the wearer's skin may not be achieved. This can be particularly problematic when the selected glove or sleeve size provides a preferred level of fit or comfort for the wearer, but the reliability or consistency of the interface between the wearer's skin and the electrode is suboptimal. This can be due to a variety of factors, some of which are relevant. For example, the user's skin may not deflect enough to provide adequate or reliable contact with the sensor, and / or the glove or sleeve may not generate enough radial force to provide adequate or reliable contact with the sensor.

[0098] 7-11 illustrate exemplary improved electrode configurations incorporating convex radial portions on the contact surface. The electrodes may be configured similarly to, for example, any of the electrodes disclosed in U.S. International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 071012, filed March 7, 2022, and entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Monitoring and Characterizing User Movement Via Flexible Circuits," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0099] 5-11, disclosed herein are several electrodes 500, 600, 700, 900, 950 that can be implemented via a wearable article in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a circular flat electrode 500 defined by a diameter D. According to FIG. 6, a rectangular flat electrode 600 defined by a width W and a length L is illustrated.

[0100] A "pellet"-type electrode, i.e., EMG 700, is shown in FIG. 7. Electrode 700 may be similar in general configuration to, for example, circular, flat electrode 500 of FIG. 5 and may include a similar diameter D. However, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 7, the contact surface of EMG 700 is provided with a dome-shaped, spherical, or other convex topography that approximates a radius R of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 times a major dimension of electrode 700, such as diameter D. A circular pellet-type electrode 700 similar to that of FIG. 7 may have a major dimension, such as diameter D, of 13 millimeters and a contact surface radius of curvature R of 11.5 millimeters, as shown in FIG. 8. Electrode 700 of FIG. 7 may also include a spherical cap height H of 2 millimeters, as shown in FIG. 8. However, other dimensions are contemplated by the present disclosure and may be implemented based on user preference and / or intended use. It should be understood that introducing a dome shape to an electrode increases the contact surface area compared to the contact area of ​​a planar or flat electrode, which may be beneficial. In the above example, the resulting contact surface area is approximately 133 mm for an electrode with a flat contact surface of the same outer diameter. 2 surface area of ​​approximately 145mm 2 It should therefore be appreciated that an additional benefit of providing a curved contact surface is the ability to provide a larger contact area for a given form factor or "footprint" of any electrode.

[0101] Furthermore, compared to flat electrodes integrated into gloves as disclosed herein, the curved protrusion relative to the surrounding glove surface subtly focuses the radial compressive forces of the glove onto the wearer's skin at the location of the electrodes, potentially increasing deflection and improving sensor-to-wearer contact. One such sleeve-integrated electrode that can be used to form the gloves disclosed herein is shown schematically in Figures 12-14.

[0102] For a flat sheet-like electrode 900, such as that shown in FIG. 9, the electrode is molded or otherwise formed to have a radius of curvature R extending substantially along the entire length L or width W of the sheet. Either L or W may be considered the major dimension, which may be determined by the direction of the radial axis. For example, in FIG. 9, the radial axis extends widthwise, so the major dimension may be length L, while if it were lengthwise, the major dimension would be width W. The resulting structure, as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 12-14, behaves like a leaf spring when incorporated into a glove or sleeve. This configuration can provide a bias force against the wearer's skin in response to a radial compressive force applied by the glove or sleeve as the glove or sleeve is stretched over a portion of the wearer's body. This can improve the contact quality at the interface to the skin, producing more reliable signals and / or data.

[0103] An alternative electrode 950 to the leaf spring electrode 900 of FIG. 9 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the electrode 950 can have a cup-shaped configuration in combination with a sheet-type electrode configuration. Similar to the electrode 900 of FIG. 9, when integrated into a glove or sleeve, the flexibility of the sheet electrode 950, combined with the dome-shaped curvature, can create a spring-like effect, pressing the electrode 950 against the user's skin and providing improved electrode performance and supplemental pressure. While shown here as a generally circular shape, it should be understood that any shape of electrode can provide a dome-shaped or generally spherical topography. Here, the major dimension is the diameter D of the electrode 950, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0104] The electrodes 500, 600, 700, 900, 950 of Figures 5-11 may be molded or otherwise formed using injection molding operations, casting operations, thermoforming operations, or other suitable techniques, depending on the material used to form the electrode and the desired properties or biasing effects required for the resulting sensor integration into a wearable device, such as a glove or sleeve described herein and shown in Figures 12-14.

[0105] 12-14 , a sleeve 1250 is shown that can form a wearable article as disclosed herein, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. As previously described, the sleeve 1250 can be formed from a substantially tubular member made from fabric, neoprene, or other materials known for use in athletic or medical prosthetics. Because gloves are intended to stretch during use and are worn close to the user's body, it has typically been difficult to securely attach and / or integrate electronics into such articles without causing significant discomfort to the end user or experiencing high failure rates of the integrated sensors and associated electronics. However, the non-limiting embodiments of FIGS. 12-14 illustrate how various electrodes 700, 950 can be incorporated into the sleeve 1250, and thus into a glove formed from the sleeve 1250, while maintaining functional reliability and user comfort. Similarly, the flexible circuits and strain sensors described herein can be laminated or otherwise coupled to the sleeve 1250 to further promote functionality, flexibility, and user comfort. This will be explained in more detail with reference to later figures.

[0106] Additionally, the sleeve 1250 of Figures 12-14 can further include an array of light-emitting diodes ("LEDs"), allowing the patient or caregiver to easily monitor range of motion in real time. This indicator can also be used to guide the patient through range of motion exercises during rehabilitation. Pressure information can be collected by incorporating an induction coil sensor made with a deformable conductor into the glove. Changes in output from this force sensor can be monitored as an indicator of swelling. Professionals can clearly see pressure changes over a wide range with the strain sensor and pressure changes in a localized zone with the induction coil. In addition to the force sensor, the sleeve 1250 can include an integrated temperature sensor constructed from the deformable conductor. This allows the user to monitor temperature changes in the injured area, which may indicate changes in blood flow.

[0107] Electromyogram (EMG) readings can be used to diagnose conditions affecting the muscles in that area. This output can be used during physical therapy or to control active prosthetic limbs, among other applications. The EMG is an advanced active amplifier and filter created using a soft solder process on a flexible TPU film. Contacts from the EMG or other electronic components are positioned to ensure electrical connection before unitization. Once the layers are unitized, the electrical connections are defined. Therefore, it should be appreciated that "soft soldering" components is particularly useful for modular assemblies or "stacks" of multiple layups, where various electrical connections must be defined and secured through unitization, which can be a function of hardening over time, exposure to UV light, etc. Sensors can extract voltage from skeletal muscle tissue using dry electrodes bonded directly to the TPU circuit, resulting in a flexible, stretchable, and fully conformable active circuit made from the deformable conductors described herein. Arrays of these sensors can be incorporated into gloves so as to be unnoticeable to the end user.

[0108] Additionally, the deformable conductors can be used to create capacitive user input "buttons" on the sleeve 1250, and thus integrated into the glove material, such that touching the exterior surface of the glove in designated areas can switch the glove's function to display different sensory outputs. Additionally, the capacitive input elements can be used to zero out feedback displayed on a display or record it in memory for later retrieval. The buttons can also be used to record locations that cause discomfort or activities that cause pain to the end user, such as by adding a flag or tag to data recorded by onboard memory integrated into the glove's control circuitry. Alternatively, the buttons can be implemented to provide "touch" points for virtual reality and / or augmented reality implementations of the gloves described herein.

[0109] It should therefore be understood that one or more sleeves similar to sleeve 1250 of Figures 12-14 can be appropriately sized and joined together to form a glove that covers a user's hand, including the palm and one or more fingers, as well as a portion of the user's wrist and / or forearm, depending on the user's preference and / or intended use.

[0110] Referring now to FIG. 15 , an alternative strain sensor 1500 that can be implemented to monitor a hand joint is illustrated, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 15 , the strain sensor 1500 of FIG. 15 can be configured for implementation on a wearable article, such as a glove, with at least a portion of the strain sensor 1500 positioned across a particular location of interest on the glove, such as at least a portion of a finger of the glove. The strain sensor 1500 can implement the principles described with reference to the strain sensors 102, 402 of FIGS. 1-4 , and the strain sensor 1500 can be formed from deformable conductor traces 1504 a, 1504 b that change shape as the strain sensor 1500 deforms. Specifically, the traces 1504 a, 1504 b can be formed from any of the deformable conductors described herein. However, the strain sensor 1500 of FIG. 15 is not limited to being configured to monitor planar motion; it can be implemented in a wearable article to monitor a variety of motions. For example, the elongated nature of the strain sensor 1500 can facilitate implementation along the fingers of a glove and across one or more knuckles. Thus, as the strain sensor 1500 deforms, an algorithm or visualization engine stored in the memory of a computing device communicatively connected to the strain sensor 1500 can correlate signals generated by one or more traces 1504 a, 1504 b of the circuit with out-of-plane motion of a finger or other joint of a user's hand.

[0111] 15, strain sensor 1500 may include one or more electronic components 1506a-e, such as any of the processors, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), electrodes, memory, transceivers, power sources, inertial measurement units ("IMUs"), LEDs, and tactile sensors described herein, among other electronic components. Thus, a first trace 1504a configured with one or more traces of deformable conductors may be configured to measure positional displacement, and a second trace 1504b configured with one or more traces of deformable conductors may be configured to function as a power and / or bus line for strain sensor 1500, transmitting data and / or power between the various electronic components 1506a-e and first trace 1504a of strain sensor 1500. However, according to some non-limiting embodiments, second trace 1504b may additionally and / or alternatively be configured to function as a strain sensor to monitor the motion of a user's hand at different positions of interest on the user's hand.

[0112] The strain sensors 1500 of FIG. 15 can be incorporated into one or more tubular sleeves, positioned along the length of the sleeve, and generally oriented axially of the sleeve. For example, if the sleeve is configured to be worn on a user's hand, the strain sensors 1500 can be positioned to extend across one or more fingers of the user's hand. Generally, for other joint applications, the sensors may be oriented generally transversely to the joint axis of the joint. In addition to the strain sensors, one or more of the electronic components 1506a-e can include IMU sensors, as described further with reference to FIG. 19 . The IMUs can be mounted, for example, near each end of the sleeve, generally above or below the strain sensors. In other words, the IMUs can be strategically positioned near the center of the limb, finger, or other body part housed within the sleeve. Using an IMU in combination with the strain sensors 1500 can improve joint monitoring, for example.

[0113] Still referring to FIG. 15 , strain sensors 1500 can be placed over joints and used to correlate measured strain (or elongation in a tubular sleeve) resulting from various relative angular relationships between limbs, fingers, or other body parts connected by the joints and covered by a glove or other wearable article. The measured strain can have calibrations for multiple angles, e.g., by assuming linear strain, the angle between calibration points can be inferred, which is generally accurate for both metal-gel conductor-based strain sensors and the biomechanics of the movement of the wearable article or body part covered by the glove. The addition of one or more electronic components 1506a-e, such as an IMU, can add a symbiotic measure of angle. One or more strain-sensing traces 1504a, 1504b can calibrate and / or re-home data from electronic components 1506a-e, such as an IMU. The IMU can signal motions that act to load the strain sensing traces 1504a, 1504b, such as joint rotation or hyperextension beyond the setpoint of the strain sensor.

[0114] The use of two IMUs placed at different locations across a joint (e.g., on either side of a knuckle) has been explored and implemented to estimate joint movement and finger angular position, but has proven unreliable over long-term use due to "drift" in the data provided by the IMUs. Over time, the estimated position and spatial relationship between the IMUs no longer falls within an acceptable range of their actual location on the wearer's body, resulting in an unreliable dataset. Therefore, attempting to understand limb and joint movement or relying on data provided by an IMU pair to, for example, remotely monitor joint health or remotely administer physical therapy or training for joint rehabilitation is not possible.

[0115] Thus, the addition of strain sensors not only provides data related to joint position and movement, but also serves to reposition the IMU spatially, producing more reliable data and enabling extended use. For each wearer of a sleeve equipped with this sensor configuration, a calibration procedure may be required to benchmark the associated strains with the IMU-estimated spatial position data. This can be performed by having the wearer move the limb or body part housed within the sleeve into various different positions and recording the IMU-estimated spatial position data against the measured strains. Thus, strain measurements can be used to anchor and correct the IMU-estimated spatial position calculated by a microcontroller unit ("MCU") integrated into the glove in some embodiments.

[0116] Calibration of IMUs is typically not possible with strain sensors because strain sensors traditionally measure only very small strains, typically on the order of micrometers. Such small strains can be smaller than the drift in spatial coordinates estimated by the IMU. Strain sensors made from the deformable conductors described herein have the potential to measure strains on the order of centimeters or decimeters, or even larger, depending on the sensor size and the resilience of the substrate used to create the sensor. Therefore, the use of strain sensors to determine correction factors for the drift in spatial position estimated by the IMU is of considerable value for wearable electronics, where the displacement of the IMU as a result of relative body part movement can result in significant stretching of the wearable device by the user's body. Substantial stretch can be defined as a linear stretch of 3 millimeters or more. In some applications, it can be defined as only 1 millimeter. In other instances, it can be defined as 5 or 10 millimeters, or even more, depending on the sleeve's application.

[0117] The principles disclosed above can be applied to a sleeve with a single IMU to provide substantially similar motion information for one finger, limb, digit, or other body part on either side of the wearer's joint, with the position of the other limb being inferred from the strain data.

[0118] Referring now to FIG. 16 , a method 1600 for correlating data generated by strain gauge sensors with data generated by inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) data is illustrated, according to at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting aspect of FIG. 16 , method 1600 may include step 1602 of initializing the system, followed by step 1604 of initializing a calibration sequence. Method 1600 may further invoke step 1608 of recording strain data from one or more strain sensors on the glove and step 1606 of recording IMU data from the glove's IMU. Method 1600 may further include step 1610 of correlating the IMU data with the strain data and step 1612 of calculating drift in estimated IMU spatial position based on the strain data. Finally, method 1600 may include step 1616 of outputting strain-dependent information related to the glove and step 1614 of outputting corrected IMU-dependent information.

[0119] 17 and 18 , another flexible circuit 1700 configured for use with the articles disclosed herein is shown, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, according to a non-limiting embodiment, the flexible circuit 1700 includes traces made from a deformable conductor, similar to the strain sensor 1500 of FIG. 15 , shown in a relaxed state. However, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 18 , the flexible circuit 1700 is significantly deformed and in a stressed state. Accordingly, the electrical parameters generated by the deformable conductor traces change, and the traces become longer due to the aforementioned properties of deformable conductors. As such, the flexible circuit 1700 of FIGS. 17 and 18 integrates concepts described herein and is suitable for implementation via gloves, systems, and methods for characterizing a user's physical movements, as described herein.

[0120] Referring now to FIG. 19 , an article 1900 configured to track a user's physical motion is shown, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 19 , article 1900 can be configured as a glove worn on a user's hand. Glove 1900 can include specific elements that apply the principles and techniques described above to generate electrical parameters that can be correlated to physical parameters related to the user's physical motion when the glove is worn. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the article can take the form of any other article of clothing, including knee gloves, a shirt, pants, socks, and / or a hat, among others.

[0121] 19 , a glove 1900 may include multiple circuits 1904a-e, each including one or more electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, electrically coupled via a network of traces 1902 specially configured to traverse various geometric portions of the glove 1900. The glove 1900, the traces 1902, and / or any one of the electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 may be formed from a flexible and / or stretchable material. Thus, the glove 1900, the traces 1902, and / or the electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 may allow for unrestrained movement of a user's hand while wearing the glove 1900 and may be used to generate electrical parameters that may be related to physical parameters associated with the user's physical movements, as described further herein. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the traces 1902 are deposited onto one or more substrates 1912, 1918, or layup of the glove 1900 via the devices, systems, and methods disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070853, filed February 25, 2022, and entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Manufacturing and Using Circuit Assemblies Having Patterned Deformable Conductive Material," and / or International Patent Application No. PCT / US2019 / 047731, filed August 22, 2019, and entitled "Structures with Deformable Conductors," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0122] For example, traces 1902 can utilize flexible, deformable conductors such as those disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2017 / 019762, filed February 27, 2017, entitled "Liquid Wire," and published September 8, 2017, as International Patent Publication No. WO2017 / 151523A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, each trace 1902 can include various forms, such as a liquid, paste, gel, and / or powder, that would enable trace 1902 to have, among other things, deformable qualities (e.g., soft, flexible, stretchable, bendable, elastic, flowable, viscoelastic, Newtonian, non-Newtonian, etc.). According to some non-limiting embodiments, the deformable conductive material can include an electroactive material, such as a deformable conductor made from a conductive gel (e.g., a gallium indium alloy). The conductive gel can have a shear thinning composition and, according to some non-limiting embodiments, can include a mixture of materials in desired ratios. For example, according to one preferred non-limiting embodiment, the conductive gel can include a weight percentage of eutectic gallium alloy between 59.9% and 99.9% and a weight percentage of gallium oxide between 0.1% and about 2.0%. Of course, the present disclosure contemplates other non-limiting embodiments featuring traces 1902 of various morphologies and / or compositions to achieve the advantages disclosed herein.

[0123] According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 19 , the glove 1900 can include one or more substrates 1912, 1918 attached to its main material 1916, wherein the one or more substrates 1912, 1918 are comprised of a flexible, stretchable material such as that disclosed by U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 548,379, filed August 22, 2019, entitled “STRUCTURE HAVING DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS,” and granted August 10, 2021 as U.S. Patent No. 11,088,063, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Specifically, one or more of the substrates 1912, 1918 can be made from a flexible or stretchable material, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, flexible plastic, silicone-based materials (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane ("PDMS"), thermoplastic polyurethane ("TPU"), ethylene propylene diene terpolymer ("EPDM"), neoprene, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), etc.), flexible composite materials, and / or naturally flexible materials, such as leather. For example, one or more of the substrates 1912, 1918 can be made from a resilient yet stretchable TPU, such as Lubrizol® Estane® 58000 series (e.g., 58238), among others. Alternatively, one or more of the substrates 1912, 1918 can be formed from a relatively stiff yet flexible material, such as Lubrizol® Estane® S375D, among others. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the main material 1916 of the glove 1900 itself can comprise any of the flexible and / or stretchable materials described above. While the substrates 1912, 1918 of FIG. 19 can comprise a multi-layer structure including a substrate layer, a stencil layer, and a sealing layer, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the substrates 1912, 1918 can comprise a single layer or a two-layer structure (e.g., a substrate layer, a sealing layer, etc.) configured to accommodate the traces 1902.

[0124] 19 , the flexible and / or stretchable nature of glove 1900, traces 1902, and / or electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 can enable the generation of electrical parameters that can be correlated to physical parameters associated with a user's physical movements. For example, when a user moves their hand while wearing glove 1900, the resulting physical disturbance to traces 1902 and / or electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 attached to primary material 1916 can subsequently change the electrical parameters (such as inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by traces 1902 and / or electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910. In other words, the user's movements while wearing the glove 1900 result in deformations of the trace 1902 and / or the electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, which in turn change electrical parameters that can be correlated to baseline data that can be collected using methods described in further detail herein to monitor and / or characterize the user's hand movements while wearing the glove 1900. The electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) produced by the electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 can be correlated with physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimensions, etc.) associated with the electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, and thus can characterize the user's hand movements while wearing the glove 1900. The differences in the associated physical parameters of each circuit 1904a-e can be used to model the user's hand in a virtual environment.

[0125] The electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 of the glove 1900 may include a particular trace configuration 1906 and / or an IMU 1908 (e.g., gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, pressure sensor, etc.), among other components specifically configured to generate signals that can be related to physical parameters of the glove 1900. For example, according to other non-limiting embodiments, a microelectromechanical system (“MEMS”) gyroscope may also be employed. Specifically, each circuit 1904a-e of the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 may include a particular trace configuration 1906 in one or more portions of the glove 1900.

[0126] According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 19 , the particular trace configuration 1906 employed by the glove 1900 can include a series of “switchbacks” where the trace 1902 loops back on itself, thereby extending the length of the trace 1902 in that particular portion of the glove 1900. The portion of the glove 1900 where the particular trace configuration 1906 is located may be of particular interest to the user. For example, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 19 , the particular trace configuration 1906 can be located at approximately the estimated location of the user's knuckles when the glove 1900 is being worn. Specifically, the first circuit 1904 a and the fourth circuit 1904 d of the glove 1900 can include the particular trace configuration 1906 located at the approximate location of the user's proximal knuckle. Similarly, the first circuit 1904 a and the fourth circuit 1904 d of the glove 1900 can include the particular trace configuration 1906 located at the approximate location of the user's middle knuckle. As such, each particular trace configuration 1906 can undergo amplified deformation when the user moves their hand, resulting in more dramatic changes in the electrical parameters and more accurately characterizing the user's hand movements while wearing the glove 1900. Of course, according to other non-limiting aspects, other geometries for the particular trace configurations 1906 are implemented. Each particular trace configuration 1906 need only have a different geometry than the remaining traces 1902 of the circuit 1904a-e.

[0127] While the glove 1900 of Figure 19 shows a first circuit 1904a and a fourth circuit 1904d positioned about a user's thumb and index finger, other non-limiting embodiments can include various circuits 1904a-e positioned about any finger on the user's hand or other portion of particular interest. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments (e.g., the glove 2100 of Figure 21), a specific trace configuration 1906 may not be employed, but rather electrical parameters generated by the traces 1902 themselves may be related to physical parameters to characterize the movement of the user's hand while wearing the glove 1900.

[0128] Additionally and / or alternatively, one or more circuits 1904e of the glove 1900 can include an IMU 1908 positioned near the palm of the glove 1900 configured to generate signals that, according to some non-limiting embodiments, in conjunction with signals generated by one or more other circuits 19041-f, can be related to physical parameters of the glove 1900 and used to characterize the user's movements while wearing the glove 1900. For example, it should be understood that the IMU 1908 of FIG. 19 can include a number of accelerometers capable of outputting linear acceleration signals on three axes in space and / or gyroscopes capable of outputting angular velocity signals on three axes in space, thereby measuring the three-axis acceleration and / or angular velocity of the user's hand while wearing the glove 1900. It should be further understood how the IMU 1908 can be used in combination with the other circuits 1904a-d to determine other aspects of the position and orientation (“POSE”) of the glove 1900 in three-dimensional space. For example, the various traces 1902 and particular trace configurations 1906 of the other circuits 1904a-d can generate electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) that can be used to contextualize and / or calibrate the signals generated by the IMU 1908. Thus, if the IMU 1908 begins to drift over time with use, a processor communicatively connected to the circuits 1904a-e can utilize signals associated with the electrical parameters from the other circuits 1904a-d to correct the signals received from the IMU 1908.

[0129] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the IMU 1908 may include an on-board structure including traces composed of deformable conductors, similar to the traces 1902 of the individual circuits 1904a-d. As such, deformations in the IMU 1908 itself may be utilized to contextualize and / or calibrate signals generated by other components of the IMU 1908 (such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, pressure sensors, etc.). In other words, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the IMU 1908 may be configured according to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 261,266, filed September 21, 2021, and entitled "Stretchable and Flexible Metal Film Structure," which may reduce the need for additional circuits 1904a-d.

[0130] 19 , the electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 can further include a coupling circuit 1910 configured to couple the traces 1902 of the circuits 1904a-e of the glove 1900 to a processing circuit through a plurality of vias 1914, such as that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 261,266, filed September 21, 2021, and entitled “Stretchable and Flexible Metal Film Structure,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the traces 1902, vias 1914, and contacts (not shown) can be specifically sized and spaced to establish the desired electrical connection so that signals generated by the circuits 1904a-e of the glove 1900 can be transmitted to the processor via electrical connectors 1920. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the coupling circuit 1910 can also be hardwired to the processor. The processor can be communicatively connected to a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to characterize the user's movements while wearing the glove 1900. The processor can be coupled to a display that can be configured to present a virtual representation of the glove, and thus the user's movements, in a virtual environment. Alternatively, the coupling circuit 1910 can be configured for conventional wireless (e.g., infrastructure networks such as WiFi, cellular, and / or ad-hoc networks such as Bluetooth, near field communication ("NFC"), radio frequency identification ("RFID")) transmission. According to some non-limiting embodiments, any of the electrical features disclosed herein, such as the IMU 1908, the coupling circuit 1910, and / or the electrical connector 1920, can include a PCB structure including a polyimide flexible substrate structure that can be adhered to a laminate structure.The sensors and / or chipset of the IMU 1908, or other components of the coupling circuit 1910, and / or electrical contacts (not shown) and / or traces (not shown) hosted on such electrical features 1908, 1910, 1920, such as the electrical connector 1920 (e.g., Bluetooth radio, USB connector), can be reflow soldered to the flexible PCB. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the PCB is configured as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 885,854, filed May 28, 2020, and entitled "Continuous Interconnect Between Dissimilar Materials," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively and / or additionally, various chips and / or sensors can be hosted directly on the laminated circuit structure itself.

[0131] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the processor can be located remotely relative to the glove 1900. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the coupling circuit 1910 of the glove 1900 can further include an on-board processor such that signals generated by the circuits 1904a-e are processed locally, enabling the coupling circuit 1910 to couple the glove to a display. Alternatively and / or additionally, the coupling circuit 1910, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 19, can include one or more sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, pressure sensors, etc.) positioned near the circumference of the user's wrist and configured to generate electrical parameters that can be correlated with physical parameters of the coupling circuit 1910 to characterize the user's wrist movements. In some non-limiting embodiments, the coupling circuit 1910 may include a rechargeable power source (e.g., a lithium ion battery, a capacitor, etc.) configured to supply current to the circuits 1904e-f, and / or a port (e.g., a universal serial bus (“USB”) port) configured to supply current directly to the circuits 1904e-f and / or configured to charge the power source itself.

[0132] 19 , one or more of the substrates 1912, 1918, or portions of the main material 1916, can be made from a stretchy yet more resilient TPU, such as Lubrizol® Estane® 58000 series (e.g., 58238), among others. Alternatively, one or more of the substrates 1912, 1918 can be formed from a relatively stiff yet flexible material, such as Lubrizol® Estane® S375D, among others. Thus, one or more of the substrates 1912, 1918, or portions of the main material 1916 can be reinforced to limit and / or inhibit deformation of particular traces 1902 and / or electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, either overall or in particular axes, such that electrical parameters change less compared to other traces 1902 and / or electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 of interest. In other words, the relative flexibility and rigidity of various portions and / or components of the glove 1900 can be utilized to ensure that the signals generated by the circuits 1904a-e convey information related to the region of interest, which can lead to more efficient processing and, consequently, increased accuracy and economic value of the characterizations generated by the glove 1900.

[0133] According to still other non-limiting embodiments, the glove 1900 can include various other electrical features, such as pressure sensors. According to one non-limiting embodiment, the glove 1900 can include pressure sensors on the tips of one or more fingers. The pressure sensors can include any of those disclosed, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2021 / 071374, filed September 3, 2021, entitled "Wearable Article Equipped with Flexible Inductive Pressure Sensors," U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 270,589, filed October 22, 2021, entitled "Flexible Three-Dimensional Electronic Components," and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 272,487, filed October 27, 2021, entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Making and Using Fluid-Fillable Circuits," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Thus, when the induction coil within the sensor is depressed or extended, an electrical parameter (e.g., electromagnetic inductance, etc.) generated by the sensor changes, and a corresponding signal is sent via circuits 1904a-e to a processor to characterize the stimulus being detected by the pressure sensor and external to glove 1900. Of course, other pressure sensors (e.g., strain gauges, thin-film pressure sensors, variable capacitance pressure sensors, etc.) can be implemented to achieve a similar effect.

[0134] According to some non-limiting embodiments, it may be useful to pair the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 with a smartphone capable of running a dedicated app to provide additional functionality, such as the ability to record voice memos, when recording data regarding use of the glove 1900, for example, in virtual reality and / or augmented reality implementations or for physical therapy implementations. Furthermore, data generated by the glove 1900 can be wirelessly streamed to cloud storage or monitored in real time by an individual at a remote location, for example, to provide therapeutic instructions and advice, exercises, training, or injury diagnosis. To achieve wireless communication with a device configured to receive data from the sleeve, the processor of the glove 1900 can include a wireless module, such as a Bluetooth® radio and associated firmware, to enable wireless communication and data transfer. Additionally, as described elsewhere herein, the glove 1900 can further include an ADC, coupled to the processor, between the strain sensors 1904a-e and the processor to convert analog signals to digital signals for interpretation by the processor. Similar to the sleeve 1250 of FIGS. 12-14, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 can seamlessly integrate an array of sensors, electrodes, control circuitry, at least one user input device, and at least one display device. Furthermore, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the glove 1900 can include an array of LEDs, tactile sensors, transducers, and / or a visual display configured to provide the user with real-time feedback related to range of flexion. With respect to therapeutic implementations of the gloves described herein, this indicator can also be used to guide the patient through range-of-motion exercises during rehabilitation. According to still other non-limiting embodiments, the glove 1900 can include an inductive coil sensor made from a deformable conductor and incorporated into the glove to collect pressure information.The change in output from this force sensor can be monitored as an indicator of expansion or can be used to assess whether the user is gripping an object in their hand while wearing the glove 1900. It should be understood that pressure changes can be monitored over a wide area using such strain sensors, or, according to non-limiting embodiments, in a localized zone using an induction coil. In addition to the force sensor, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 can include an integrated temperature sensor constructed from a deformable conductor. Such a sensor can monitor temperature changes in the user's hand while wearing the gloves described herein.

[0135] Referring now to FIG. 20 , one of the substrates 1918 of the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 is shown, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 20 illustrates the modular structure of the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 . According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 20 , the circuitry 1904 a-e, including the traces 1902 and electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, is constructed as disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070853, filed February 25, 2022, and entitled “Devices, Systems, and Methods for Manufacturing and Using Deformable Conductive Material Patterned Circuit Assemblies,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. After the substrate 1918 is constructed to have varying degrees of stretch and flexibility to facilitate and / or limit deformation of desired portions of the substrate 1918, the substrate 1918 is attached to the main material 1916 of the glove 1900 of FIG. 19 . The material of each substrate 1918, 1912 used during construction can also be specifically selected. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the substrate 1918 can be composed of the same material or have similar mechanical properties as the substrate 1912 to which it is attached. For example, the substrates 1912, 1918 can have similar moduli or other elastic properties. This can reduce the likelihood of shear mismatch between the substrates 1912, 1918 as the glove 1900 ( FIG. 19 ) moves, which can result in delamination depending on the attachment, joining, or bonding methods selected to attach the components to one another.

[0136] Referring now to FIG. 21 , another article 2200 configured to track a user's physical motion is shown, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to article 1900 of FIG. 19 , article 2200 can be configured as a glove worn on a user's hand. Again, glove 2200 can include specific elements that apply the principles and techniques described above to generate electrical parameters that can be correlated to physical parameters associated with the user's physical motion when the glove is worn. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the article can take the form of any other article of clothing, including knee gloves, a shirt, pants, socks, and / or a hat, among others.

[0137] 21 , glove 2200 may include multiple circuits 2204a-e including a network of traces 2202 specifically configured to traverse various geometric portions of glove 2200. However, unlike glove 1900 of FIG. 19 , glove 2200 of FIG. 21 may exclude one or more of electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910 that are attached to primary material 2018. A non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 21 includes a coupling circuit 2210 that may be configured similarly to coupling circuit 1910 of FIG. 19 , although glove 2200 may exclude the specific trace configuration 1906 and / or IMU 1908 of FIG. 19 . Rather, glove 2200 of FIG. 21 may include ten circuits 2204a-j, each having a network of elongated, looped traces 2202 attached to substrate 2018. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the circuit 2204a-e, including the trace 2202 and substrates 2212, 2218, is constructed as disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070853, filed February 25, 2022, and entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Manufacturing and Using Circuit Assemblies Having Patterned Deformable Conductive Material," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Similar to the trace 1902 of FIG. 19, the trace 2202 of FIG. 21 can include any deformable conductor, such as those disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2017 / 019762, filed February 27, 2017, and published September 8, 2017, as International Patent Publication No. WO2017 / 151523A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0138] 21 may be particularly configured such that a user's movements while wearing the glove 2200 can result in deformation of the elongated traces 2202 and / or the coupled circuit 2210, thereby changing electrical parameters that can be correlated to baseline data. Absent the particular trace configuration 1906 of FIG. 19, each circuit 2204a-j has traces 2202 of a desired length. For example, the traces 2202 of the first circuit 2204a, the fourth circuit 2204d, the sixth circuit 2204f, the eighth circuit 2204h, and the tenth circuit 2204j are relatively shorter than the traces 2202 of the second circuit 2204b, the third circuit 2204c, the fifth circuit 2204e, the seventh circuit 2204g, and the ninth circuit 2204i. The traces 2202 of the first circuit 2204a, the fourth circuit 2204d, the sixth circuit 2204f, the eighth circuit 2204h, and the tenth circuit 2204j extend to a first location of interest, approximately where the user's proximal knuckle of each finger is located. Similarly, the second circuit 2204b, the third circuit 2204c, the fifth circuit 2204e, the seventh circuit 2204g, and the ninth circuit 2204i extend to a second location of interest, approximately where the user's middle knuckle of each finger is located. Thus, electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by the traces 2202 of each circuit 2204a-j can be compared and related to physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimension, etc.) associated with one or more portions of the glove 2200, and thus can characterize the user's hand movements. The differences in the associated physical parameters of each circuit 2204a-j can be used to model the user's hand in the virtual environment.

[0139] While the non-limiting embodiments of Figures 19 and 21 depict gloves 1900, 2200 including circuits 1904, 2204 with various trace 1902, 2202 configurations and electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, 2210, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates other non-limiting embodiments featuring various combinations of the previously disclosed trace 1902, 2202 configurations and electrical features 1906, 1908, 1910, 2210. For example, referring now to Figure 22, another substrate 2318 configured for use with another glove in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Again, Figure 22 illustrates the modular structure of another glove contemplated by the present disclosure. However, according to the non-limiting embodiment of Figure 22, the substrate 2318 can be configured with different circuit 2304a-c configurations than those previously described.

[0140] 22, substrate 2318 may be similar in construction to substrate 1918 of FIGS. 19 and 20, characterized in that each of first circuit 2304a, second circuit 2304b, third circuit 2304c, and fourth circuit 2304d is configured to cross one of a user's thumb or index finger when a glove having substrate 2318 attached thereto is worn. The substrate further includes fifth circuit 2304e, which may be positioned in the palm of the glove and includes IMU 2308 configured similarly to IMU 1908 of FIG. 19. However, unlike substrate 1918 of FIGS. 19 and 20, substrate 2318 of FIG. 22 excludes particular trace configuration 1906 (FIGS. 19 and 20), but rather includes elongated, looped traces 2302.

[0141] Note that the circuits 2304a-d of the substrate 2318 in Figure 22 can extend to locations of interest similar to the traces 2204 in Figure 21. Specifically, the traces 2304 of the first circuit 2304a and the traces 2304 of the fourth circuit 2304d extend to a first location of interest where approximately the proximal knuckles of a user's thumb and index finger would be located. The traces 2304 of the second circuit 2304b and the traces 2304 of the third circuit 2304c extend to a second location of interest where approximately the intermediate knuckles of a user's thumb and index finger would be located. Thus, the electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by the traces 2304 of each circuit 2304a-e can be compared and related to physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimensions, etc.) associated with one or more portions of the glove 2300, and thus can characterize the movement of the user's hand. In conjunction with signals generated by the IMU 2308, which may be configured similarly to the IMU 1908 of FIG. 19, the traces can generate signals associated with the physical parameters of each circuit 2304a-e to model the user's hand in a virtual environment.

[0142] Referring now to FIG. 23 , a method 2400 for generating signals associated with electrical parameters and associating those electrical parameters with physical movements of a user of a glove disclosed herein is illustrated, according to at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting aspect of FIG. 23 , method 2400 can include a step 2402 of performing a first movement while wearing one of the articles disclosed herein. During step 2402 of performing the first movement, one of the flexible circuits can generate a first electrical parameter (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) associated with the first movement via any of the trace configurations and / or electrical characteristics disclosed herein. The first movement is monitored via a camera or any other device capable of performing step 2406 of generating motion capture data associated with the first movement. Once the electrical parameters and motion capture data associated with the first movement are generated, step 2408 of associating the electrical parameters associated with the first movement with the motion capture data associated with the first movement is performed. The correlation may be stored such that when the first operation is repeated, step 2410, a processor communicatively connected to the disclosed article receives one or more signals that it can determine are associated with the first electrical parameter. The processor may then perform step 2412 of generating a virtual replica of the first operation based on the stored correlation.

[0143] However, the steps shown in FIG. 23 are not exclusive of the method 2400 contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the method 2400 may further include generating baseline electrical parameters and replicating each step for multiple motions so that a full range of motion can be virtually replicated using the article disclosed herein. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the method may include an intermediate step of relating the electrical parameters to physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimensions, etc.) of the article and its circuitry. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the step of relating the electrical parameters to physical parameters may be in lieu of the step of relating the electrical parameters to motion capture data. Additionally, the method may include receiving and processing input from one or more pressure sensors coupled to the article and virtually replicating an interaction between a user of the article and an object in a real environment based on signals received from the one or more pressure sensors.

[0144] 24A and 24B, the glove 2200 of FIG. 21 is shown being used via the method 2400 of FIG. 23 in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, according to FIG. 24A, a user's hand is relaxed while using the glove 2200. Thus, a processor can generate and record signals received from the circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) when the glove 2200 is in the first relaxed position of FIG. 24A. A device such as a camera capable of generating motion capture data can be used to record the glove 2200 when the user clenches their hand, as shown in FIG. 24B. The processor can then generate and record signals received from the circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) when the glove 2200 is in the second flexed position of FIG. 24B. The processor can associate the electrical parameters associated with the first relaxed position of Figure 24A with the motion capture data associated with the first relaxed position of Figure 24A, and can associate the electrical parameters associated with the second bent position of Figure 24B with the motion capture data associated with the second bent position of Figure 24B. Thus, the processor can generate a virtual simulation of the user's hand as it transitions from the first relaxed position of Figure 24A to the second bent position of Figure 24B for each user movement based solely on the electrical parameters received from glove 2200 without the aid of real-time motion capture data generated by a camera.

[0145] It will be appreciated that a wearable article, such as the glove 2200 of FIG. 21 , can be used to simulate a user's movements in a virtual environment. This can provide many advantages due to the reduction in auxiliary components required to simulate a user's movements during use. For example, conventional articles may rely on multiple IMUs, gyroscopes, and / or accelerometers to estimate the article's position and / or orientation in space. However, such components can be bulky and / or uncomfortable for the user, adding to the impracticality and inefficiency of everyday use of the article. Thus, there is a need for devices, systems, and methods for simulating movements in a virtual environment using a wearable article having a flexible circuit. Flexible circuits can reduce the number of auxiliary components required to simulate a user's movements in a virtual environment, thus providing a more streamlined fit that can achieve the same or better results with less power.

[0146] Referring now to FIG. 25 , a system 2500 configured to simulate motion in a virtual environment using a wearable article having a flexible circuit is illustrated, according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 25 , the system 2500 may include a wearable article, such as the glove 2200 of FIG. 21 , a computing device, such as a server 2504, and a display 2506. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the computing device may include any other device capable of receiving, processing, and outputting signals, such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a mobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone, smart glasses, a virtual reality or augmented reality headset, etc.), and / or a hobbyist computing device (e.g., an Arduino®, a Raspberry Pi®, etc.), among others. According to yet other non-limiting embodiments, the display 2506 may be integrated into the computing device (e.g., a laptop, a smartphone, etc.) or into an auxiliary computing device communicatively connected to the computing device illustrated in FIG. 25 . For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the display 2506 may be a smartphone or a virtual reality or augmented reality headset communicatively connected to the server 2504, thereby allowing a user to more conveniently view and / or interact with the generated simulation 2508 remotely while the server 2504 performs the necessary processing functions.

[0147] The glove 2200, the server 2504, and the display 2506 can be communicatively connected via any wired and / or wireless connection. For example, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 25, the system 2500 can further include a wireless access point 2510 configured to communicatively connect at least two of the glove 2200, the server 2504, and / or the display 2506. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments, at least the glove 2200 is communicatively connected to the server 2504 via a serial communication connection (e.g., Universal Serial Bus, Serial Peripheral Interface, RS-type connector, etc.) and / or protocol (e.g., Modbus®, Open Platform, etc.), or some other means of transmitting signals (e.g., signals associated with electrical parameters generated by the flexible circuit) to and from the glove 2200.

[0148] As previously mentioned, the computing device may include server 2504 or any other device capable of receiving, processing, and outputting signals generated by glove 2200 or any other wearable article utilizing flexible circuits similar to those described herein. According to non-limiting embodiments of FIG. 25 , server 2504 may include memory and control circuitry, such as a processor or microprocessor, configured to execute instructions stored in the memory. Server 2504 may be configured to store software or firmware configured to enable server 2504 to communicate data with glove 2200 of system 2500. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, server 2504 may be configured to store a SerialCom® plug-in that enables the transmission of custom data packages to and from glove 2200 or any other wearable article. In other words, the signal transmitted by the glove 2200 may include a custom data package that may include, for example, 10 data points, each of which corresponds to an electrical parameter generated by a respective circuit 2204a-j (FIG. 21) attached to the substrate 2018 (FIG. 21) of the glove 2200.

[0149] 25, the server 2504 can be further configured to store a visualization engine. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the visualization engine can include commercially available platforms such as UnrealEngine®, GoDot®, Unity®, GDevelop®, CRYENGINE®, and / or Verge3D®, among others. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the visualization engine can include a custom build. In any case, the visualization engine can include an input system configured to convert user input (e.g., signals associated with electrical parameters generated by the flexible circuitry of the glove 2200) into simulated actions performed by the avatar 2508 in the virtual environment 2503. This input system can be configured via a simulation framework, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 26A-C. In summary, the simulation framework can include rules by which simulations are generated and updated by the visualization engine executed by the server 2504 or other processor communicatively connected to the glove 2200. In other words, by employing a simulation framework, the visualization engine can track the movements of a user wearing glove 2200 in physical environment 2501 and simulate those movements via avatar 2508 in virtual environment 2503. Avatar 2508 can include custom builds or models imported from third parties (e.g., MakeHuman®, Maximo®, etc.).

[0150] 26A-C, a simulation framework 2600 configured to be executed via the system 2500 of FIG. 25 is shown, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to non-limiting embodiments of FIG. 26A-C, the simulation framework 2600 can include multiple scales 2604, 2606, each scale 2604, 2606 corresponding to a respective sensor 2204a-j (FIG. 21) of the glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25). Each scale 2604, 2606 can be defined by a minimum electrical parameter Pmin and a maximum electrical parameter Pmax associated with each sensor 2204a-j (FIG. 21) of the glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25). For example, the simulation framework employed by the visualization engine executed by the system 2500 of FIG. 25 can evaluate electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by the sensing circuits 2204a-j ( FIG. 21 ) of the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ) relative to the scales 2604, 2606 corresponding to each particular sensing circuit 2204a-j ( FIG. 21 ). For illustrative purposes, the scales 2604, 2606 in FIGS. 26A-C correspond to one or more sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ) located on the index and middle fingers of the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ).

[0151] However, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the minimum electrical parameter Pmin and maximum electrical parameter Pmax for each scale 2604, 2606 may be different for each sensor 2204a-j (FIG. 21) of a glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25) because the minimum electrical parameter Pmin and maximum electrical parameter Pmax may vary depending on the particular variables associated with each sensor 2204a-j (FIG. 21). For example, the minimum electrical parameter Pmin and maximum electrical parameter Pmax may vary depending on which finger 2204a-j (FIG. 21) the sensor is located on and / or whether the sensor 2204a-j (FIG. 21) extends to the knuckle or fingertip. While two scales 2604, 2606 are shown in FIGS. 26A-C for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the framework may include similar scales for each sensor 2204a-j (FIG. 21) of a glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25).

[0152] According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 26A-C, a visualization engine can receive, in real time, signals associated with electrical parameters 2614, 2616 generated by one or more sensing circuits 2204c-f (FIG. 21) disposed on the index and middle fingers of glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25). For example, according to FIG. 26A, the visualization engine can evaluate, via simulation framework 2600, that the received electrical parameters 2614, 2616 are relatively close to the minimum electrical parameter Pmin for each scale 2604, 2606. Thus, the visualization engine can associate the received electrical parameters 2614, 2616 with the physical state of the sensing circuits 2204c-f (FIG. 21) disposed on the index and middle fingers of glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25). For example, based on the correlation, the visualization engine may determine that the minimum electrical parameter Pmin occurs when sensing circuits 2204c-f (FIG. 21) located on the index and middle fingers of glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25) experience little or no strain. In this manner, the visualization engine may determine that the user is not bending the index or middle fingers because sensing circuits 2204c-f (FIG. 21) are not stretched. Thus, the visualization engine generates a simulation of avatar 2508 with an open palm, as shown in FIG. 26A.

[0153] According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 26B , the visualization engine may further evaluate, via the simulation framework 2600, that an electrical parameter 2614 associated with a signal generated by one or more sensing circuits 2204c, 2204d ( FIG. 21 ) disposed on the index finger of the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ) is relatively close to a maximum electrical parameter P max of the scale 2604. The visualization engine may correlate the received electrical parameters 2614, 2616 with the physical state of the sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ). However, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 26B , based on the correlation, the visualization engine may determine that the maximum electrical parameter P max occurs when the sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ) are experiencing a maximum amount of strain. In this manner, the visualization engine may determine that the user is bending the index finger because one or more sensing circuits 2204c, 2204d ( FIG. 21 ) on the index finger of the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ) are stretched. Again, the visualization engine may determine that the user is not flexing their middle finger because one or more sensing circuits 2204e, 2204f (FIG. 21) in the middle finger show little or no extension. Thus, the visualization engine generates a simulation in which the avatar 2508 is flexing their index finger but otherwise maintaining an open palm, as shown in FIG. 26B.

[0154] According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 26C , the visualization engine may further evaluate, via the simulation framework 2600, that electrical parameters 2614, 2616 associated with signals generated by one or more sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ) disposed on the index and middle fingers of the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ), are relatively close to a maximum electrical parameter P max on the scale 2604, 2606. The visualization engine may correlate the received electrical parameters 2614, 2616 with the physical state of the sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ). However, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 26C , based on the correlation, the visualization engine may determine that the user is flexing both the index and middle fingers because one or more sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ) on the index and middle fingers are stretched. This is because the maximum electrical parameter P max occurs when the sensing circuits 2204c-f ( FIG. 21 ) are experiencing the greatest amount of strain. Thus, the visualization engine generates a simulation of avatar 2508 flexing its index and middle fingers but otherwise maintaining an open palm, as shown in Figure 26C.

[0155] It will be understood that there are intermediate positions not shown in FIGS. 26A-C that are important to the overall simulation of the user's movements while wearing the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ). In other words, the rate at which the avatar 2508 is updated to reflect the user's movements can be as frequent as the signal generation by the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ) and the update rate of the display 2506 allow. The signals can be generated in real time by the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ), and the update rate of the display can range from 60 Hz to 240 Hz. While in many applications it may be beneficial to have a virtual real-time simulation of the user's movements while wearing the glove 2200 ( FIGS. 21 and 25 ), any update rate can be implemented by the system 2500 of FIG. 25 . For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the avatar 2508 can be updated only when certain positions or milestones are achieved.

[0156] Although not shown in Figures 26A-C, it should be understood that the use of more than one sensor per finger can further enhance the simulation. For example, by receiving and comparing signals associated with electrical parameters generated by sensing circuits extending to the user's knuckles (e.g., sensing circuits 2204d, 2204f of Figure 21) to signals associated with electrical parameters generated by sensing circuits extending to the user's fingertips (e.g., sensing circuits 2204c, 2204e, etc. of Figure 21), framework 2600 of Figures 26A-C can accurately determine the amount of flexion the fingers have. For example, if the visualization engine determines that signals associated with electrical parameters generated by sensing circuits extending to the user's fingertips (e.g., sensing circuits 2204c, 2204e, etc., of FIG. 21 ) are closer to the maximum electrical parameter P max than to the minimum electrical parameter P min , and that signals associated with electrical parameters generated by sensing circuits extending to the user's knuckles (e.g., sensing circuits 2204d, 2204f, etc., of FIG. 21 ) are closer to the minimum electrical parameter P min than to the maximum electrical parameter P max , the visualization engine may determine that the user's fingers are mostly straight but slightly curved toward the fingertips. Clearly, the degree of accuracy associated with the generated simulation varies proportionally to the relative magnitudes of the received electrical parameters 2614, 2616. In other words, the relative rotation of the various knuckles of a user's hand can be accurately simulated in a way that cannot be efficiently simulated by conventional devices.

[0157] Furthermore, it will be understood that the degree to which the fingers are bent or curved is only one degree of movement that can be simulated via the framework 2600 of FIGS. 26A-C and the system 2500 of FIG. 25. For example, data generated by all of the sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) can be correlated with data associated with the physical state of each sensing circuit 2204a-j (FIG. 21) and compared relative to one another, allowing the distance between the fingers, or "spread," to be accurately simulated by the visualization engine. Similarly, the rotational and / or lateral movement of each finger, including the thumb, can be determined by the visualization engine via the framework and simulated via the avatar 2508.

[0158] According to a non-limiting embodiment in which glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25) further includes one or more IMUs, data generated by sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) can be further used along with data generated by the IMUs to improve the simulation generated via avatar 2508. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, data from sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) can be used to calibrate the on-board IMUs and thus eliminate IMU drift. For example, one such embodiment contemplates two IMUs disposed on glove 2200 (FIGS. 21 and 25) and a sensing circuit disposed between the IMUs. Here, data from the intermediate sensing circuit can be utilized to correct data generated by either IMU, thus improving the simulated position and orientation of avatar 2508 in virtual environment 2503 (FIG. 25).

[0159] While this disclosure describes correlating data generated by sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) with motion capture data, it should be understood that the data generated by sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) can be correlated with any other data useful in characterizing the physical state of each of sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21). For example, manual measurements, distance estimates based on still photographs, or video may be utilized by a user to enhance the matrix of data used by the visualization engine to correlate data generated by sensing circuits 2204a-j (FIG. 21) and improve the accuracy of the simulation via avatar 2508.

[0160] Referring now to FIG. 27 , a method 2700 for simulating movement in a virtual environment 2503 ( FIG. 25 ) using a wearable article having a flexible circuit is illustrated, according to at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. The method may be performed, for example, via system 2500 of FIG. 25 . According to a non-limiting aspect of FIG. 27 , method 2700 may include developing a framework 2702 including a scale of an electrical parameter generated by each flexible sensing circuit of the wearable article, the scale correlating with a physical state of each flexible sensing circuit. For example, the framework may be similar to framework 2600 of FIGS. 26A-C , and the data associated with the physical state of the flexible circuit may be generated via method 2400 of FIG. 23 . However, according to other non-limiting aspects, the data associated with the physical state of the flexible circuit may be obtained manually, distances may be estimated based on still photographs, and / or video may be utilized by a user to generate data that may be correlated with the electrical parameter generated by the flexible circuit.

[0161] Still referring to FIG. 27 , method 2700 may further include step 2704 of receiving signals associated with electrical parameters generated by flexible sensing circuits disposed on the wearable article. The signals may be generated as a user wears the wearable article and moves around the physical environment 2501 ( FIG. 25 ). Once received, method 2700 may include step 2706 of determining a physical state of each flexible circuit based on the received signals. As shown in FIGS. 26A-C , determining 2706 may be further based on the developed framework 2600, which includes scales 2604, 2606 corresponding to each of the flexible circuits on the wearable article. After determining the physical states of the flexible circuits, method 2700 may include step 2708 of comparing each determined physical state of each flexible circuit to the determined physical states of other flexible circuits on the wearable article. This comparison 2708 may provide the visualization engine with the relative information necessary to generate a simulation. Thus, method 2700 may further include step 2710 of generating a simulation of the wearable article via an avatar based on a comparison of the determined physical states of each flexible circuit.

[0162] Referring now to FIG. 28 , another article 2800 configured for simulating physical movements in a virtual environment is shown, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to articles 1900, 1920 of FIGS. 19 and 22 , article 2800 can be configured as a glove worn on a user's hand. Again, glove 2800 can include specific elements that apply the principles and techniques described above to generate electrical parameters that can be correlated to physical parameters associated with the user's physical movements when the glove is worn. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the article can take the form of any other article of clothing, including knee gloves, a shirt, pants, socks, and / or a hat, among others.

[0163] 28, glove 2800 may include a first plurality of flexible circuits 2804a-e and a second plurality of flexible circuits 2804f-j disposed on the back of the glove 2800 when worn by a user, each of which may be configured with deformable conductors as described herein, and each of which may be arranged and positioned to monitor and characterize a different portion of the user's hand when the glove 2800 is worn. Unlike the flexible circuits 1904a-e of FIG. 19, the flexible circuits 2804a-j of FIG. 28 do not have electrical features and instead are arranged in a simple "U" shaped configuration. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the first and second plurality of circuits 2804a-j may include traces and substrates as disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 070853, filed February 25, 2022, and entitled "Devices, Systems, and Methods for Manufacturing and Using Circuit Assemblies Having Patterned Deformable Conductive Material," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0164] 28, the first plurality of flexible circuits 2804a-e can be shorter in length than the second plurality of flexible circuits 2804f-j and can be positioned such that each of the first plurality of flexible circuits 2804a-e extends beyond and terminates just beyond the metacarpophalangeal, i.e., most proximal, knuckle of each of a user's fingers when the glove 2800 is worn. The second plurality of circuits 2804f-j, for example, can be longer in length than the first plurality of flexible circuits 2804a-e and can be positioned such that each of the second plurality of flexible circuits 2804f-j extends beyond the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of each of the fingers when the glove 2800 is worn. In other words, unlike previously described embodiments of the present disclosure, the second plurality of flexible circuits 2804f-j can be configured to extend beyond the middle knuckle and across both interphalangeal joints to more accurately monitor movement. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 28, the longer second plurality of circuits 2804f-j can surround the shorter first plurality of flexible circuits 2804a-e.

[0165] 28 , the first plurality of flexible circuits 2804a-e and the second plurality of flexible circuits 2804f-j can terminate at an island 2802 located approximately midway along the back of the user's hand when the glove 2800 is worn by the user. Thus, the user's finger movements can be monitored exclusively without interference from wrist movements. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the island 2802 can include an ADC configured to convert analog signals generated by each flexible circuit 2804a-j into digital signals and transmit the resulting digital signals over a bus circuit 2806 configured for power and / or data transmission. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the island 2802 can include a processor configured to process and package the analog signals into a consolidated digital signal that includes digital signals representative of the electrical parameters generated by each of the flexible circuits 2804a-j.

[0166] Similar to the electrical features 1908, 1910, and 1920 described with reference to FIG. 19 , it should be understood that the islands 2802 of FIG. 28 can include PCB structures including polyimide flexible substrate structures that can be adhered to a laminate structure. The electrical contacts (not shown) and / or traces (not shown) of the islands 2802 can be reflow soldered to the flexible PCB. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the PCB can be constructed as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 885,854, filed May 28, 2020, and entitled “Continuous Interconnect Between Dissimilar Materials,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively and / or additionally, various chips and / or sensors can be hosted directly on the laminate circuit structure itself.

[0167] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the glove island 2802 of FIG. 28 may include an IMU that, in conjunction with signals generated by one or more other circuits 2804a-j, can be associated with physical parameters of the glove 2800 and used to characterize a user's movements while wearing the glove 2800. For example, it should be understood that the IMU may include several accelerometers capable of outputting linear acceleration signals on three axes in space and / or gyroscopes capable of outputting angular velocity signals on three axes in space, measuring the three-axis acceleration and / or angular velocity of the user's hand while wearing the glove 2800. It should be further understood how the IMU may be used in combination with other circuits 2804a-j to determine other aspects of the pose of the glove 2800 in three-dimensional space. For example, the various circuits 2804a-j may generate electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.), which may be used to contextualize and / or calibrate the signals generated by the IMU. Thus, if the IMU begins to drift over time with use, a processor communicatively connected to the circuits 2804a-j can utilize signals associated with electrical parameters from the other circuits 2804a-j to correct the signals received from the IMU.

[0168] 28 , according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the bus circuit 2806 may also include traces comprised of deformable conductors as described herein and may be used to monitor other movements of the user's hand while wearing the glove 2800. For example, according to such embodiments, the bus circuit 2806 may be used to monitor, among other things, the user's wrist movements. Nevertheless, the bus circuit 2806 may transmit digital signals to and from electronic components 2808 disposed on the glove 2800. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the electronic components 2808 may be configured similarly to the power components described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 412,867, filed October 3, 2022, and entitled “Devices, Systems, and Methods for Monitoring and Characterizing User Movement via Flexible Circuits,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0169] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the electronics 2808 of the glove 2800 of FIG. 28 may be configured for on-board signal processing and / or transmission. For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the electronics 2808 may include, among other electronic components, a microprocessor (e.g., a Nordic-brand nRFMDK-based processor or equivalent), memory, wireless communication circuitry, and / or a bus port (configured to receive power and / or data from the power components of the electronics 2808), additional IMUs, and / or additional sensors. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, for example, the ADC described above may be located on the electronics 2808. According to still other non-limiting embodiments, the electronics 2808 may include electrodes, such as any of the electrodes described herein.

[0170] According to other non-limiting aspects, the electronic component 2808 can include a power source, such as a battery and / or a charger. For example, the charger can include a USB port configured to transfer power and / or data from an external source to the electronic component 2808. For example, the electronic component 2808 can be configured for such transfer via USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C protocols, although other means for power and / or data transfer are also contemplated by this disclosure. According to other non-limiting aspects, the electronic component 2808 can include wireless charging circuitry and / or a wireless transmitter and / or receiver configured to wirelessly obtain power and data from an external source. In any event, it will be understood that the electronic component 2808, when mechanically and electrically coupled to the glove 2800, can provide power to the islands 2802 and / or the flexible circuits 2804a-j. It will further be understood that data can be transferred to and from the islands 2802 and / or the flexible circuits 2804a-j via the electronic component 2808. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, electronic component 2808 can be used to transmit firmware updates to the memory of island 2802 for execution by the microprocessor. Alternatively, electronic component 2808 can include memory configured to store data generated by flexible circuits 2804a-j for subsequent use and processing.

[0171] According to yet other non-limiting aspects, glove 2800 can include a mechanical component, such as a cradle, configured to removably secure electronic component 2808 to glove 2800. Thus, the cradle can establish electrical communication between electronic component 2808 and bus circuit 2806, thereby enabling electronic component 2808 to provide power to circuits 2804a-j, 2806, and island 2802 of glove 2800 of FIG. 28 . According to yet other non-limiting aspects, electronic component 2808 can include memory and / or a transceiver. Thus, when electronic component 2808 is mechanically secured to wearable article 2800 via the cradle, electronic component 2808 can provide power and / or data to other electronics of glove 2800.

[0172] It should be understood that one or more of the components of island 2802 of FIG. 28 (e.g., microprocessor, memory, radio circuitry, ADC, IMU, other sensors, etc.) can be interleaved within electronic component 2808. Thus, via electronic component 2808, some or all of the functionality provided by island 2802 can be modularized and interchangeable among multiple flexible circuits and / or wearable articles. This can promote efficiency and reduce costs associated with manufacturing wearable article 2800 itself. According to some non-limiting embodiments, electronic component 2808 can include an RFID chip or another means of identifying its ID. Thus, electronic component 2808 can be associated with and / or linked to a particular wearable article, such as glove 2800 of FIG. 28. This can ensure accurate tagging of data, including associating the data with a particular user.

[0173] Thus, the glove 2800 of FIG. 28 may include a circuit 2804a-j, 2806 configuration that is more efficient, allows for better packaging, and monitors finger movement more exclusively, minimizing flexing due to wrist movement.

[0174] Because the inventive principles of this patent disclosure may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive concept, such changes and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. The use of terms such as "first" and "second" is intended to distinguish between different elements and does not necessarily imply the presence of multiple elements.

[0175] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the following numbered sections:

[0176] Item 1. A system configured to simulate a physical action performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, the system including a wearable article communicatively including a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor, the first flexible circuit positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article, the system including a computing device including a processor and a memory configured to store a visualization engine, wherein when the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the processor receives a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determines a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, scales the first electrical parameter based on a predetermined simulation framework of the visualization engine, wherein scaling the first electrical parameter corresponds to a physical state of the first flexible circuit, compares the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article, and generates a simulation of the physical action performed by the user via the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

[0177] Item 2. The system of item 1, wherein the wearable article further includes an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) configured to monitor the position and orientation of the wearable article in three-dimensional space, and when the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device receives a second signal generated by the IMU, and the generation of the simulation is further based on the second signal received from the IMU.

[0178] Item 3. The system of either item 1 or 2, wherein when the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device calibrates the second signal generated by the IMU based on the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

[0179] Item 4: The system described in any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the computing device is located remotely relative to the wearable article.

[0180] Item 5. The system of any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the wearable article further includes a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the computing device.

[0181] Clause 6: The system described in any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the system further includes an electronic component including a power source configured to provide power to the first flexible circuit, and the wearable article further includes a mechanical component configured to selectively receive the electronic component.

[0182] Item 7. The system of any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the electronic component further includes a memory configured to store data associated with the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

[0183] Clause 8: The system of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the wearable article further includes a second flexible circuit, the second flexible circuit including a second trace including a deformable conductor, and the second flexible circuit is positioned at a second location of interest on the wearable article.

[0184] Clause 9. The system of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the wearable article is a glove and the first location of interest includes the proximal-most knuckle of a first finger of the glove.

[0185] Clause 10: The system according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the second location of interest includes a middle knuckle of the first finger.

[0186] Clause 11: The system described in any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the second location of interest further includes the most distal knuckle of the first finger.

[0187] Clause 12. The system of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the second flexible circuit traverses around the first flexible circuit.

[0188] Clause 13: The system of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the wearable article further includes a third flexible circuit, the third flexible circuit including a third trace including a deformable conductor, the third flexible circuit being positioned at a third location of interest on the wearable article, and the third location of interest including a second finger of a glove.

[0189] Clause 14. A wearable article configured to simulate a physical action performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, the wearable article including: a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor; the first flexible circuit being positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article; the wearable article including circuitry configured to communicatively connect the first flexible circuit to a computing device including a processor and a memory configured to store a visualization engine; when the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the processor receives a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit; determines a first electrical parameter based on the first signal; scales the first electrical parameter based on a predetermined simulation framework of the visualization engine, wherein scaling the first electrical parameter corresponds to a physical state of the first flexible circuit; compares the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article; and generates a simulation of the physical action performed by the user via the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

[0190] Clause 15. The wearable article of clause 14, wherein the wearable article further includes an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") configured to monitor the position and orientation of the wearable article in three-dimensional space, and wherein when the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device receives a second signal generated by the IMU, and wherein generation of the simulation is further based on the second signal received from the IMU.

[0191] Item 16. The wearable article of either item 14 or 15, wherein when the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device further calibrates the second signal generated by the IMU based on the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

[0192] Clause 17: The wearable article according to any one of clauses 14 to 16, further comprising a second flexible circuit, the second flexible circuit comprising a second trace including a deformable conductor, and the second flexible circuit being positioned at a second location of interest on the wearable article.

[0193] Clause 18: The wearable article according to any one of clauses 14 to 17, wherein the wearable article is a glove, and the first location of interest includes the proximal knuckle of a first finger of the glove.

[0194] Clause 19: The wearable article according to any one of clauses 14 to 18, wherein the second position of interest includes a middle knuckle of the first finger.

[0195] Clause 20. A method of simulating physical actions performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, the method comprising: developing a framework for electrical parameters generated by a plurality of flexible circuits of a wearable article; the framework including a plurality of scales relating the electrical parameters generated by each flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits to a physical state of each flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits; receiving a plurality of signals generated in response to user actions while wearing the wearable article; the plurality of signals corresponding to electrical parameters generated by the plurality of flexible circuits of the wearable article; determining a first physical state of a first flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits based on the plurality of scales and a first received signal of the plurality of signals; determining a second physical state of a second flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits based on the plurality of scales and a second received signal of the plurality of signals; comparing the first physical state to the second physical state; and generating a simulation of physical actions performed by the user via the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

[0196] Clause 21. A system configured to characterize a physical action performed by a user, the system including a wearable article including a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor, the first flexible circuit positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article, the system including a computing device including a processor and a memory configured to store instructions, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to receive a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit, determine a first electrical parameter based on the first signal, determine a physical state of the first flexible circuit based on the first electrical parameter, compare the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article, and characterize the physical action performed by the user based on the comparison.

[0197] Clause 22. The system of clause 21, wherein the wearable article further includes an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) configured to monitor the position and orientation of the wearable article in three-dimensional space, and wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the computing device receives a second signal generated by the IMU, and wherein the characterization of the physical movement is further based on the second signal received from the IMU.

[0198] 23. The system of claim 21 or 22, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the computing device further calibrates the second signal generated by the IMU based on the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

[0199] Clause 24: The system of any one of clauses 21 to 23, wherein the computing device is located remotely relative to the wearable article.

[0200] Clause 25: The system of any one of clauses 21 to 24, wherein the wearable article further includes a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the computing device.

[0201] Clause 26: The system of any of clauses 21 to 25, wherein the system further includes an electronic component including a power source configured to provide power to the first flexible circuit, and the wearable article further includes a mechanical component configured to selectively receive the electronic component.

[0202] 27. The system of any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the electronic component further includes a memory configured to store data associated with the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

[0203] Clause 28: The system of any of clauses 21 to 27, wherein the wearable article further includes a second flexible circuit, the second flexible circuit including a second trace including a deformable conductor, and the second flexible circuit is positioned at a second location of interest on the wearable article.

[0204] Clause 29: The system of any of clauses 21 to 28, wherein the wearable article is a glove and the first location of interest includes a proximal-most knuckle of a first finger of the glove.

[0205] Clause 30: The system of any one of clauses 21 to 29, wherein the second location of interest includes a middle knuckle of the first finger.

[0206] Clause 31: The system described in any one of clauses 21 to 30, wherein the second location of interest further includes the most distal knuckle of the first finger.

[0207] Clause 32: The system of any one of clauses 21 to 31, wherein the second flexible circuit surrounds the first flexible circuit.

[0208] Clause 33: The system of any one of clauses 21 to 32, wherein the wearable article further includes a third flexible circuit, the third flexible circuit including a third trace including a deformable conductor, the third flexible circuit being positioned at a third location of interest on the wearable article, and the third location of interest including a second finger of a glove.

[0209] All patents, patent applications, publications, or other disclosure materials mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, as if each individual reference material were expressly incorporated by reference. All references and materials, or portions thereof, that are incorporated herein by reference are incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials do not contradict existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure materials set forth in this disclosure. Therefore, to the extent necessary, the disclosure set forth herein supersedes any conflicting materials incorporated herein by reference, and the disclosure expressly set forth in this application takes precedence.

[0210] The present invention has been described with reference to various exemplary and illustrative embodiments. It is understood that the embodiments described herein provide illustrative features of various details of the various embodiments of the disclosed invention. Thus, unless otherwise specified, it is understood that, to the extent possible, one or more features, elements, components, ingredients, structures, modules, and / or aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged with one or more other features, elements, components, ingredients, structures, modules, and / or aspects of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the exemplary embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain with no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the various embodiments of the invention described herein upon review of this specification. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the description of the various embodiments, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0211] Those skilled in the art will generally recognize that the terms used in this specification, and particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "comprises" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a specific number of introduced claim recitations is intended, such intention will be explicitly set forth in the claim; in the absence of such recitation, no such intention exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims below may use the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as meaning that the introduction of a claim recitation with the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits a particular claim that includes such introduced claim recitation to claims that include only one such introduced claim recitation. The same is true when the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should normally be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"). The same is true for definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0212] Furthermore, even when a specific number in an introduced claim is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the mere recitation of "two recitations" without other modifiers typically means at least two recitations, or more than two recitations). Furthermore, when a convention similar to "such as at least one of A, B, and C" is used, such configuration is generally intended in the sense that those skilled in the art understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). When a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, such configuration is generally intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). As will be further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, disjunctive words and / or phrases that typically present two or more alternative terms should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the terms, either term, or both terms, unless the context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" is typically understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0213] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, while the claims are presented in a certain order, it should be understood that various operations may be performed in orders other than those recited, or may be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orders include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, concurrent, reversed, or other variations, unless the context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms such as past tense adjectives, such as "responsive to" and "related to," are generally not intended to exclude such variations, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0214] It should be noted that references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "one exemplary embodiment," etc. mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "in an example," and "in one example" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0215] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0216] Directional terms used herein, such as, but not limited to, up, down, left, right, lower, upper, front, rear, and variations thereof, refer to the orientation of the elements as shown in the accompanying drawings and do not limit the scope of the claims, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0217] As used in this disclosure, the term "about" or "approximately," unless otherwise specified, refers to an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to within 50%, 200%, 105%, 100%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0218] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are understood to be prefaced and modified in all instances by the term "about." Such numerical parameters have the inherent variability inherent in the underlying measurement techniques employed to determine the numerical value of such parameters. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter set forth herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding approaches.

[0219] Numerical ranges recited herein include all subranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 100" includes all subranges between (and including) the implied minimum of 1 and the implied maximum of 100, i.e., having a minimum of 1 or more and a maximum of 100 or less. Also, all ranges recited herein include the endpoints of the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 100" includes the endpoints 1 and 100. Every maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include every subnumerical limitation subsumed therein, and every minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include every upper numerical limitation subsumed therein. Accordingly, applicants reserve the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to explicitly recite any subranges subsumed within any explicitly recited range. All such ranges are inherently described herein.

[0220] Any patent applications, patents, non-patent literature, or other disclosure materials referred to herein and / or listed in the Application Data Sheets are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that the incorporated material does not contradict this specification. Therefore, to the extent necessary, the disclosures expressly set forth herein supersede any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portions thereof, purportedly incorporated herein by reference that contradicts existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure material set forth herein is incorporated only to the extent that no conflict arises between the incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0221] "Comprise" (and any forms of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any forms of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any forms of include, such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any forms of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Consequently, a system that "includes," "has," "comprises," or "contains" one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that "includes," "has," "comprises," or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.

[0222] The instructions used to program the logic that implements the various disclosed aspects can be stored in memory within the system, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Additionally, the instructions can be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, a machine-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, it can include a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic or optical card, a flash memory, or any tangible, machine-readable storage device used to transmit information via the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, non-transitory computer-readable media includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0223] As used in any aspect of this specification, any reference to a processor or microprocessor can be replaced with any “control circuitry,” which can refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor including one or more individual instruction processing cores, a processing unit, a processor, a microcontroller, a microcontroller unit, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), a state machine circuit, firmware that stores instructions executed by the programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The control circuitry, collectively or individually, can be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, such as, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, etc. Thus, as used herein, "control circuitry" includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application-specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general-purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general-purpose computer configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., a form of random access memory), and / or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, a communications switch, or an optoelectronic appliance). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein can be implemented in analog or digital fashion, or some combination thereof.

[0224] As used in any aspect of this specification, the term "logic" may refer to apps, software, firmware, and / or circuitry configured to perform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) in a memory device.

[0225] As used in any aspect of this specification, the terms "component," "system," "module," and the like may refer to a computer-related entity that is either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

[0226] Unless otherwise specifically stated as is apparent from the foregoing disclosure, throughout the foregoing disclosure, descriptions using terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," and the like are understood to refer to the operations and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system's registers and memory into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0227] As used herein, one or more components may be referred to as being "configured to," "configurable to," "operable to," "adapted to," "capable to," "adaptable to," "compliant to," etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, unless the context requires otherwise, "configured to" may generally encompass active and / or inactive and / or standby components.

Claims

1. 1. A system configured to simulate physical actions performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, the system comprising: a wearable article including a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor, the first flexible circuit being positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article; a computing device comprising a processor and a memory configured to store the visualization engine; When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the processor: receiving a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit; determining a first electrical parameter based on the first signal; scaling the first electrical parameter based on a predetermined simulation framework of the visualization engine, wherein scaling the first electrical parameter corresponds to a physical state of the first flexible circuit; comparing the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article; generating a simulation of the physical movements of the user through the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison; A system characterized by:

2. the wearable article further comprising an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") configured to monitor the position and orientation of the wearable article in three-dimensional space; When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device: receiving a second signal generated by the IMU; The system of claim 1 , wherein generating the simulation is further based on the second signal received from the IMU.

3. When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device: The system of claim 2 , further comprising: calibrating the second signal generated by the IMU based on the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is located remotely relative to the wearable article.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the wearable article further comprises a transceiver configured to send and receive signals to and from the computing device.

6. the system further includes an electronic component including a power source configured to provide power to the first flexible circuit; The system of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article further comprises a mechanical component configured to selectively receive the electronic component.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the electronic component further comprises a memory configured to store data associated with the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

8. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable article further comprises a second flexible circuit, the second flexible circuit comprising a second trace including a deformable conductor, and the second flexible circuit is positioned at a second location of interest on the wearable article.

9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the wearable article is a glove and the first location of interest comprises a proximal-most knuckle of a first finger of the glove.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the second location of interest includes a middle knuckle of the first finger.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second location of interest further comprises a distal-most knuckle of the first finger.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second flexible circuit surrounds the first flexible circuit.

13. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the wearable article further comprises a third flexible circuit, the third flexible circuit comprising a third trace including a deformable conductor, the third flexible circuit being positioned at a third location of interest on the wearable article, the third location of interest comprising a second finger of the glove.

14. 1. A wearable article configured to simulate physical actions performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, the wearable article comprising: a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit including a first trace including a deformable conductor, the first flexible circuit being positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article; circuitry configured to communicatively connect the first flexible circuit to a computing device, the computing device including a processor and a memory configured to store a visualization engine; When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the processor: receiving a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit; determining a first electrical parameter based on the first signal; scaling the first electrical parameter based on a predetermined simulation framework of the visualization engine, wherein scaling the first electrical parameter corresponds to a physical state of the first flexible circuit; comparing the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article; generating a simulation of the physical actions performed by the user through the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison; A wearable article characterized by the above.

15. the wearable article further comprising an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") configured to monitor the position and orientation of the wearable article in three-dimensional space; When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device: receiving a second signal generated by the IMU; The wearable article of claim 14 , wherein generating the simulation is further based on the second signal received from the IMU.

16. When the visualization engine is executed by the processor, the computing device: The wearable article of claim 15 , further calibrating the second signal generated by the IMU based on the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

17. the wearable article further comprising a second flexible circuit; 15. The wearable article of claim 14, wherein the second flexible circuit comprises a second trace including a deformable conductor, and the second flexible circuit is positioned at a second location of interest on the wearable article.

18. 18. The wearable article of claim 17, wherein the wearable article is a glove and the first location of interest comprises a proximal-most knuckle of a first finger of the glove.

19. The wearable article of claim 18 , wherein the second location of interest comprises a middle knuckle of the first finger.

20. 1. A method for simulating physical actions performed by a user via an avatar in a virtual environment, comprising: developing a framework for electrical parameters generated by a plurality of flexible circuits of a wearable article, the framework comprising a plurality of scales relating the electrical parameters generated by each flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits to a physical state of each flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits; receiving a plurality of signals generated in response to the user's movements while wearing the wearable article, the plurality of signals corresponding to the electrical parameters generated by the plurality of flexible circuits of the wearable article; determining a first physical state of a first flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits based on the plurality of scales and a first received signal of the plurality of signals; determining a second physical state of a second flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits based on the plurality of scales and a second received signal of the plurality of signals; comparing the first physical state to the second physical state; and generating a simulation of the physical movements of the user through the avatar in the virtual environment based on the comparison.

21. 1. A system configured to characterize a physical action performed by a user, the system comprising: a wearable article comprising a first flexible circuit, the first flexible circuit comprising a first trace including a deformable conductor, the first flexible circuit being positioned at a first location of interest on the wearable article; a computing device comprising a processor and a memory configured to store instructions; When the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor: receiving a first signal generated by the first flexible circuit; determining a first electrical parameter based on the first signal; determining a physical state of the first flexible circuit based on the first electrical parameter; comparing the physical state of the first flexible circuit to a previously determined physical state associated with the wearable article; characterizing the physical action performed by the user based on the comparison; A system characterized by:

22. the wearable article further comprising an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") configured to monitor the position and orientation of the wearable article in three-dimensional space; When the instructions are executed by the processor, the computing device: receiving a second signal generated by the IMU; 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the characterization of the physical movement is further based on the second signal received from the IMU.

23. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the computing device:

23. The system of claim 22, further calibrating the second signal generated by the IMU based on the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

24. The system of claim 21 , wherein the computing device is located remotely relative to the wearable article.

25. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the wearable article further comprises a transceiver configured to send and receive signals to and from the computing device.

26. the system further includes an electronic component including a power source configured to provide power to the first flexible circuit; 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the wearable article further comprises a mechanical component configured to selectively receive the electronic component.

27. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the electronic component further comprises a memory configured to store data associated with the first signal generated by the first flexible circuit.

28. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the wearable article further comprises a second flexible circuit, the second flexible circuit comprising a second trace including a deformable conductor, the second flexible circuit being positioned at a second location of interest on the wearable article.

29. 30. The system of claim 28, wherein the wearable article is a glove and the first location of interest comprises a proximal-most knuckle of a first finger of the glove.

30. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the second location of interest comprises a middle knuckle of the first finger.

31. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the second location of interest further comprises a distal-most knuckle of the first finger.

32. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the second flexible circuit surrounds the first flexible circuit.

33. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the wearable article further comprises a third flexible circuit, the third flexible circuit comprising a third trace including a deformable conductor, the third flexible circuit being positioned at a third location of interest on the wearable article, the third location of interest comprising a second finger of the glove.

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