Illuminated Textile Sensor Integration for Adaptive Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated textiles lack the ability to control light sources intuitively and inexpensively without external computing devices, limiting their functionality in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensors such as gyroscopes, strain gauges, and proximity sensors with LEDs in textiles, allowing a controller to selectively illuminate and adjust light properties based on physical context, including orientation, strain, and proximity, enabling adaptive lighting without external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external computing devices are used to control illuminated textiles, then control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminated textile incorporates sensors, controllers, and light sources within the textile itself, enabling the system to sense and respond to physical context autonomously without requiring external computing devices. The textile serves its own control needs through integrated components that detect orientation, strain, and proximity while selectively illuminating light sources based on sensed conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple previously separate functions (sensing, controlling, and illumination) into a single integrated textile system. Sensors, controllers, and light sources are merged within the textile structure, eliminating the need for external devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are integrated into textiles, then lighting versatility is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller selectively illuminates specific light sources based on local physical conditions detected by sensors at different locations within the textile. Different regions of the textile can exhibit different lighting behaviors according to their local context, such as orientation, strain, or proximity to objects, enabling versatile lighting control without requiring complex centralized control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system dynamically adapts to changing physical context through real-time sensor feedback. The controller continuously monitors physical conditions and adjusts light source illumination accordingly, allowing the textile to respond naturally to movement, deformation, and environmental changes without pre-programmed sequences or complex control algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If sensors and controllers are integrated into textiles, then intuitive control is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The textile incorporates multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. For example, conductive threads provide both structural connectivity and electrical conduction for sensors and light sources. The same textile structure that provides mechanical support also serves as the substrate for integrating sensing and illumination functions, reducing the need for separate manufacturing processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to selectively illuminating an illuminated textile (100) based on a physical context of the illuminated textile. For example, in some embodiments, data from one or more sensors (104) embedded in or otherwise associated with an illuminated textile may be utilized by a controller (108) to implement lighting property adjustments for one or more selected light sources (106) embedded in or associated with the textile, based on the data. The data may be indicative of a physical context of the illuminated textile.