Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to electrode arrangements. In one example electrode arrangement, the arrangement includes an electrically conductive electrode, an electrically conductive thermoadhesive, and an electrode carrier. The electrode carrier is provided in the form of a flat material piece consisting of a textile or non-textile material. The electrode carrier is connected on one side to the electrically conductive electrode and the electrically conductive thermoadhesive being in contact with an opposite side of the electrode carrier. The electrode and the thermoadhesive are electrically conductively connected to form an electrical connection

A fabric-based item may include fabric layers and other layers of material. An array of electrical components may be mounted in the fabric-based item. The electrical components may be mounted to a support structure such as a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit may have a mesh shape formed from an array of openings. Serpentine flexible printed circuit segments may extend between the openings. The electrical components may be light-emitting diodes or other electrical devices. Polymer with light-scattering particles or other materials may cover the electrical components. The flexible printed circuit may be laminated between fabric layers or other layers of material in the fabric-based item.

In a connector, a contact includes: a first connection portion and a second connection portion that are retained between a first insulator and a second insulator and face each other; and a pressing force receiving portion that makes contact with the second insulator and receives a pressing force from the second insulator to thereby press the first connection portion against the second connection portion. A connection object is sandwiched between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion makes contact with a flexible conductor of the connection object, whereby the contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the connection object.

An article of apparel, system, and methods optionally include a textile material, a mobile device holder, coupled to the textile material, configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel, and an electrical system. The electrical system includes an antenna, configured to communicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, positioned in relation to the bolder, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when commutatively coupled with the primary antenna, a controller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power as output by the power supply, and a sensor, coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor, configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.

Systems and methods for interactive objects including illuminated surfaces are provided. An interactive object includes a flexible substrate comprising a soft material that is non-transmissive to light. The interactive object includes a plurality of holes extending from an inside surface of the flexible substrate to an outside surface of the flexible substrate to form a light-transmissive pattern at one or more locations of the flexible substrate. An illuminated surface is positioned adjacent to the inside surface of the flexible substrate with its front surface extending along at least a portion of the inside surface of the flexible substrate at the one or more locations including the plurality of holes. The interactive object includes one or more electronic components electrically coupled to the illuminated surface to control the illuminated surface to provide a visual output.

An integrated control device for mounting in electrically heated articles of apparel for controlling power to heating wires secured in the articles of apparel. The control device has a finger-operable switch integrated with electronic circuits mounted on a pcb board. The electronic circuits have a communication circuit to interface with a user person to provide message information to the user person. A waterproof envelope shields at least a portion of the control device. An input electrical connecting port is mounted on the control device and accessible from outside the waterproof envelope. The input electrical connecting port is configured to magnetically receive and retain an external electrical connector having a conductor cable secured thereto to provide power to the electronic circuits from an external electrical power source. The input electrical connecting port, and the external electrical connector positioned therein, exhibit a magnetic coupling force of a predetermined strength permitting rotational planar displacement of the external electrical connector, when a shear force is applied thereto by the conductor cable of the external electrical connector, without separating the magnetic coupling retention force between the magnet retainers.

A color-changing product includes a fabric. The fabric includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is arranged using at least one fiber. The at least one fiber includes (a) an electrically conductive core and (b) a coating disposed around and along the electrically conductive core. The second layer is printed onto the first layer. The second layer includes a foreground thermochromic pigment that is selectively activatable by providing an electrical current to the electrically conductive core of the at least one fiber to change at least one of a foreground color or a pattern of the second layer.

A power source for a heated garment. The power source includes a housing, one or more battery cells located within the housing, a user interface positioned on the housing, an electrical interface positioned on the housing for connecting to the heated garment, and a controller located within the housing and including an electronic processor and a memory, the controller coupled to the battery cells, the user interface, and the electrical interface. The controller is configured to communicate with the heated garment and a device. Communicating with a device includes at least one of transmitting the status of the battery cells, receiving heated garment preset temperature information, and receiving desired temperature information. Communicating with the heated garment includes at least one of enabling heated garment components, receiving temperature information, receiving garment type information, and controlling heated zones within the heated garment.

It is disclosed a fabric (10) comprising a main layer (1), at least one LED (2) and a supporting element (3), wherein said at least one LED (2) is arranged on a coupling surface (3a) of said supporting element (3), and wherein said coupling surface (3a) is coupled to the inner surface (1a) of said main layer (1), said supporting element (3) comprising a plurality of electrical connections (4) to electrically connect said at least one LED (2) to a logic control unit (6) configured to control said at least one LED (2) in function of a sensing signal coming from a sensing device (7), said main layer (1) being provided with at least one opening (5) arranged in correspondence of said at least one LED (2) for allowing the light emitted by said at least one LED (2) to pass therethrough. It is further disclosed an article comprising the above mentioned fabric (10) and a process for producing the fabric (10).

A zipper-type circuit fabric and smart clothes composed thereof include a clothes body. The clothes body is made of waterproof conductive fabric body. The waterproof conductive fabric body includes a plurality of conductive wires and conductive contacts. Rectangular elongated conductive media and folded conductive media are arranged inside the conductive wires so that the conductive media are stable and ductile. The clothes body is further provided with a waterproof zipper body. The zipper teeth on the waterproof zipper body are all electrically connected to the conductive wires. When the zipper body is closed, a metal probe on a zipper tooth is placed into a connecting slot so that the left and right sides of the clothes body form a closed circuit. The clothes body can be connected to glove bodies and includes a plurality of flexible sensors internally.