Wearable electronics involves the integration of electronic items with fabric and garments. Examples of these are personal stereos, heart rate monitors, bio-feedback sensors, telephone headsets, data line connections, microprocessors, computerized components, etc. In most of the above examples, it is desirable to have both quick and secure electrical connections. This is especially true in the case of connecting a power source to a fabric electric circuit.

In connecting a power source to a fabric circuit, physical connections as metal contacts are often used. The use of metal contacts in wearable electronic applications may present a problem. First of all, these metal contacts could be oxidized or effected in some other way due to environmental conditions or when being washed. In order to prevent such damage, the metal contacts have to be sealed. However, sealing such electrical contacts is often difficult and expensive.

The present invention is directed to a button and buttonhole adapted to inductively transfer power within a garment. The garment includes a buttonhole including a first coil and button including a second coil. The button disposed within the buttonhole enables electrical power to be transferred between the first and second coil. In one example, the button is attached to the garment and the buttonhole is attached to a second garment. In another example, the button is included on a power supply and the power supply is removably attached to the garment by placing the button within the buttonhole.

Referring now to the drawings were like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: Figure 1 is one example of a garment including the inductive button and buttonhole according to the present invention ; Figure 2 is a top view of the inductive buttonhole for the example of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inductive button for the example of Figure l ; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inductive button and buttonhole for the

example of Figure 1; Figure 5 is another example of a garment including the inductive button and buttonhole according to the present invention ; Figure 6 is a top view of the inductive buttonhole for the example of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inductive button for the example of Figure 5 ; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inductive button and buttonhole for the example of Figure 5.

One example of a garment including the including an inductive button and buttonhole according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. In this example, the inductive button and buttonhole is used to transfer power between an inner and outer garment 10,4. As can be seen, an inductive buttonhole 6 is included on the outer garment 4. A conductive path 8 is also included on the outer garment 4. The conductive path 8 electrically connects the inductive buttonhole 6 to an electrical device (not shown) such as a personal stereo, MP3 player, an illumination device, radio station tuner. Therefore, this enables power to be supplied to the electrical device from the inductive buttonhole 6 via the conductive path 8. It is also preferably that the electrical device be removeably attached to the outer garment 4.

As can be further seen, an inductive button 12 is included on the inner garment 10 A power supply 16 is removeably attached to the inner garment 10. In one example, the power supply 16 is a plastic molded enclosure including either disposable or rechargeable batteries. During operation, the power supply 16 provides the power to operate the electrical device. Another conductive path 14 is also included on the inner garment 10 to electrically connect the inductive button 12 and power supply 16. Therefore, this enables power to be transferred to the inductive button 12 from the power supply 16 via the conductive path 14.

During operation, the inductive button 12 is placed within the inductive buttonhole 6 in order to transfer power from the inner and outer garment 10,4. Thus, electrical power will be transferred to the inductive button 12 from the power supply 16 via the conductive path 14. The electrical power supplied to the inductive button 12 is inductively transferred to the inductive buttonhole 6. Further, the electrical power transferred to the inductive buttonhole 6 is supplied to the electrical device via the conductive path 8.

A top view of the inductive buttonhole is shown in Figure 2. As can be seen, the inductive buttonhole 6 includes a coil 18 that is integrated into the fabric of the outer garment 4. The coil 18 is preferably made up of conductive fibers that are woven into the fabric of the outer garment 4. Examples of suitable conductive fibers include stainless steel or silver plated synthetic fiber. Extending from the coil 18 is the conductive path 8.

As previously described, the conductive path 8 electrically connects the inductive buttonhole 6 to an electrical device at the other end. The conductive path 8 is also preferably made up of conductive fibers that are woven into the fabric of the outer garment 4.

A cross-sectional view of the inductive button is shown in Figure 3. As can be seen, the inductive button 12 includes a coil 20 that is integrated into the material of the button 12. The coil 20 may be embodied by a thin wire or conductive fiber that is included within the material used to mold the button 12. As can be further seen, the inductive button 12 is attached to the outer garment 10 at one end of the conductive path 14. As previously described, the conductive path 14 electrically connects the inductive button 12 to the power supply. The conductive path 14 is also preferably made up of conductive fibers that are woven into the fabric of the inner garment.

A cross-sectional view of the inductive button and buttonhole is shown in Figure 4.

As can be seen, the inductive button 12 is disposed within the inductive buttonhole 6.

Thus, any voltage applied across the coil 20 of the button 12 will be induced into the coil 18 of the buttonhole 6. Thus, electrical power is inductively transferred between the inductive button 6 and buttonhole 6.

Further, depending on the application, the voltage induced between the coils 18,20 may be stepped up, stepped down or remain the same depending on the number of turns in each of the coils 18,20. For example, if the voltage is to remain the same, each of the coils 18,20 will have the same number of turns. Alternatively, if the voltage is to be stepped up, the coil 18 in the buttonhole 6 will have more turns.

In the example of Figure 1, the inductive buttonhole 6 is included on the outer garment 4 and the inductive button 12 is included on the inner garment 10. However, it should be noted that the present invention contemplates other configurations. For example, the inductive buttonhole could be included on an inner garment and the inductive button on

an outer garment. Further, the inductive buttonhole and button may also be included on a single garment.

Another example of a garment including a including the inductive button and buttonhole according to the present invention is shown in Figure 5. In this example, power is transferred within a single garment 22. Further, the inductive button 30 is included in the power supply 29. Thus, the power supply 29 is capable of being removeably attached to the garment 22 by placing the inductive button 30 within the inductive buttonhole 28, as shown.

As can be seen, an inductive buttonhole 28 is included on the garment 22. A conductive path 24 is also included on the garment 22. The conductive path 22 electrically connects the inductive buttonhole 28 to an electrical device 26 that is also attached to the garment 22. Thus, this enables power to be supplied to the electrical device 26 from the inductive buttonhole 6 via the conductive path 24. The electrical device 26 may be a personal stereo, MP3 player, an illumination device, radio station tuner. It is also preferably that the electrical device 26 be removeably attached to the garment 22.

During operation, the inductive button 30 is placed within the inductive buttonhole 28 in order to transfer power from the power supply 29 to the garment 22. Thus, the electrical power from the power supply 29 will be supplied to the inductive button 30. The electrical power supplied to the inductive button 30 is inductively transferred to the inductive buttonhole 28. Further, the electrical power transferred to the inductive buttonhole 30 is supplied to the electrical device 26 via the conductive path 24.

A top view of the inductive buttonhole is shown in Figure 6. As can be seen, the inductive buttonhole 28 includes a coil 32 that is integrated into the fabric of the garment 22. The coil 32 is preferably made up of conductive fibers that are woven into the fabric of the garment 22. Extending from the coil 32 is the conductive path 24. As previously described, the conductive path 24 electrically connects the inductive buttonhole 28 to the electrical device. The conductive path 24 is also preferably made up of conductive fibers that are woven into the fabric of the garment 22.

A cross-sectional view of the inductive button is shown in Figure 7. As can be seen, the inductive button 30 is included in the power supply 29. Thus, the inductive button 30 preferably is integrally molded along with the power supply 29. The power supply 29 may be configured to hold either disposable or rechargeable batteries. The inductive button 30 includes a coil 34 that is integrated into the material of the button 30.

The coil 34 may be embodied by a thin wire or conductive fiber that is included within the material used to mold the button 30. Further, the coil 34 is electrically connected to the batteries of the power supply 29 by electrical contacts and wires.

A cross-sectional view of the inductive button and buttonhole is shown in Figure 8.

As can be seen, the inductive button 30 is disposed within the inductive buttonhole 28.

Thus, any voltage applied across the coil 34 of the button 30 will be induced into the coil 32 of the buttonhole 28. Thus, electrical power is inductively transferred between the inductive button 30 and buttonhole 28. Further, depending on the application, the voltage induced between the coils 34,32 may be stepped up, stepped down or remain the same depending on the number of turns in each of the coils 34,32.

The description of the present invention have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the invention to the precise structures or configurations disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention should be limited by the detail description.