Telemetric Athletic Apparel with Retaining Ring Sensor Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for gathering user performance data during athletic activities are often inconvenient and cumbersome, requiring the use of chest straps and separate monitoring devices that are uncomfortable and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
Articles of clothing with integrated sensors and electrically conductive traces that securely receive and transmit telemetry devices, allowing for convenient data collection and storage, and optional wireless transmission of physiological data, eliminating the need for cumbersome connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring devices and chest straps are used to gather user performance data, then data collection capability is achieved, but user comfort and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the monitoring device, telemetry device, and article of clothing into a single integrated system. The monitoring device is worn on the user's body, the telemetry device is received within a retaining ring in the article of clothing, and together they form a unified data collection and transmission system, eliminating the need for separate chest straps and multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The article of clothing serves multiple functions: it acts as both the monitoring device support structure and contains the telemetry device for data transmission. The retaining ring in the article of clothing universally accommodates different telemetry devices, making the system versatile and eliminating the need for device-specific mounting solutions.
2Reliability
If separate monitoring devices and chest straps are used, then physiological data can be measured, but system complexity and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring device and telemetry device into a coordinated system where the monitoring device measures physiological data and the telemetry device receives and transmits this data. The article of clothing integrates both components, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing implementation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The article of clothing with the retaining ring acts as an intermediary structure that physically connects and coordinates the monitoring device and telemetry device. This intermediary simplifies the interface between components and provides a unified mounting solution.
3Ease of operation
If telemetry devices are integrated into articles of clothing with retaining rings, then ease of data transmission is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the telemetry system into distinct modular components: the monitoring device, the telemetry device, and the article of clothing with retaining ring. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled into the final integrated system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different telemetry devices. This universal design simplifies manufacturing by using a single standardized retaining ring structure rather than custom-mounted solutions for each device type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A telemetrically enhanced article of clothing comprises a fabric layer having an inside surface and an outside surface. A sensor is attached to the inside surface of the fabric layer such that when the article of clothing is worn by the user, the sensor is in contact with the user's skin. An electrically conductive trace may extend along the fabric layer and may be electrically connected at a first end to the sensor. A retaining ring may be adhered to the fabric layer near a second end of the electrically conductive trace. The retaining ring is capable of receiving a telemetry device and forming a compression connection between the perimeter of the telemetry device and the retaining ring such that when the telemetry device is received in the retaining ring, the second end of the electrically conductive trace is in electrical contact with the telemetry device.