Conductive Fabric Network for Secure Wearable Power and Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges with wired communications in terms of durability, data rates, cost, and battery requirements, while wireless communications are vulnerable to eavesdroppers and interference, necessitating a robust and flexible conductive fabric area network system for efficient data and energy transmission.
Innovation Solution
A conductive fabric area network system utilizing a main wired network device and sub wired network devices that communicate through both wired and wireless means, with a power supply device, capacitors using conductive fabric layers, and repeater nodes for extended range, enabling efficient data and power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired communication using conductive yarns or printed conductive inks is used in body area networks, then data transmission can be achieved, but durability, data rates, and costs deteriorate as the number of devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wired and wireless communication systems into a hybrid body area network. The wired conductive fabric provides reliable power and data transmission through clothing, while wireless modules enable high-speed data communication when needed. This merging allows the system to achieve both durability through the wired infrastructure and high data rates through wireless supplementation, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
2Productivity
If wireless communications are integrated into wearable devices to address wired communication limitations, then data rates improve, but vulnerability to eavesdroppers and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive fabric clothing acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the wireless communication environment. It provides a physical shield that blocks electromagnetic interference and eavesdropping attempts while still allowing the wireless communication modules to function. This intermediary structure enables high data rates through wireless communication while maintaining security by preventing external interception and interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each node requires its own battery to establish a wireless link between nodes, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but weight of the fabric per device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive fabric clothing serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural garment and the power distribution network. A single centralized power source in the clothing system can wirelessly power multiple nodes throughout the body, eliminating the need for individual batteries at each node. This multi-functional design provides wireless communication capability while avoiding the weight penalty of distributed power sources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of wearable devices increases to meet growing demand for smart services, then service capability improves, but the number of cables and battery supplies around the body per device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from individual devices and consolidates it into the conductive fabric clothing system. By taking out the batteries from each node and replacing them with a centralized power distribution system through the clothing, the design reduces cable clutter and simplifies the overall system architecture while supporting an increased number of wearable devices and smart services.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for simple and efficient control of multiple nodes, providing secure and reliable data and energy transmission across wearable devices, reducing the need for cables and batteries, and adapting to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
the main wired network device may wirelessly transfer power to the sub wired network device
Implementation Method 2
the sub wired network device may charge the capacitor with the power supplied from the main wired network device
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a conductive fabric area network system. The conductive fabric area network system according to the present invention comprises: one main conductive fabric area network device having a plurality of nodes; and one or more sub conductive fabric area network devices having a plurality of nodes. The network devices may each be included in different wearable devices from each other, and communicate among each other using at least any one communication means among wired communication and wireless communication.