BACKGROUND ART There is a need for a technology that allows the production of effects in response to stretching, deforming, squeezing, bending, or crumpling of soft, compliant, or flexible items, such as items made of fabric. These items include clothing, soft toys, bandages, upholstery, and the like. In addition, the technology should ideally be inexpensive and its manufacture straightforward. Until now, however, the detection of strain in soft items has been virtually impossible because of the difficulty of interfacing conventional strain gauges with soft or flexible substrates. There are no strain-responsive cloth-based products on the market today, despite the large interest in smart clothing, interactive toys, etc.

There is also a need for a technology that can respond to strain in the form of stretching or bending in consumer items. No strain sensors are currently utilized to produce effects in, for example, plastic items, despite the interest in"robot"animals and other effect- emitting toys.

Effect-emitting devices range from sound-making toys to television remote controls.

Effects that can be emitted include lights, motion, vibration, radio frequency signals, etc. In almost all cases, however, effect-emitting devices are today controlled by buttons. Buttons are digital in nature: they are either on or off, which limits the behavior of the effect-emitting devices. Strain gauges could be used to provide analog, rather than digital, control, but general-purpose effect-emitting strain gauge devices are heretofore unknown.

Strain gauges are instead typically used in research or engineering settings to obtain accurate and reliable strain measurements usually at critical points on a machine part or structure. (Strain, E, is defined as AL/L, where AL = change in length and L = original length. ) Conventional foil strain gauges consist of a patterned metal foil mounted on a plastic (e. g. polyimide) backing, or carrier. The backing provides a means for handling the foil pattern during installation and presents a readily bondable surface for adhering the gauge to a test specimen. Constantan is the most widely used strain-sensitive alloy. Strain gauges provide a linear analog output: the change in electrical resistance is proportional to the strain.

These strain gauges are not commonly used in general purpose or consumer applications because of the difficulty of integrating them with many products. A certain level of skill is necessary to make dependable installations. For example, there are dozens of specific step-by-step preparation procedures for attaching conventional strain gauges to different materials, involving cleaning, conditioning, and neutralizing steps. Furthermore, strain gauges are rarely used to produce effects. For example, strain gauges are not used to cause sounds or lights to be activated in toys.

Strain gauges based on conductive elastomers are also known and have been described in Jackson, US 4,748, 433 (1988), Jackson, US 4,444, 205 (1984), and Li, US 5,858, 291 (1999). Elastomers are typically non-conductive rubbers mixed with electrically conductive particles. Sensors for bending are described in Gentile, US 5,086, 785 (1992), including conductive elastomer, conductive ink, sliding resistor, and conductive fluid sensors.

Gentile points out a drawback of conductive elastomers: their resistance often does not return to the initial value after stretching. Goniometers for detecting bending are described in Kramer, US 5,280, 265 (1994). None of the above sensors can easily be utilized, however, because of the difficulty of mounting them. Kramer, for example, discusses the requirement for a guiding element for mounting the sensor. Li discloses a system for mounting the conductive elastomers comprising connectors, elastomeric bands, an anchor backing, and a finger cap.

Examples of other non-conventional strain gauges based on films of the conjugated polymer polyaniline and ion-implanted polymers are given in Giedd et al. , US 5,505, 093 (1996). Electrically conductive textiles that change resistance upon stretching can also be used as strain gauges. De Rossi et al. have shown that polypyrrole coated LYCRA shows a piezoresistive effect (see De Rossi et al., Mater. Sci. Eng. C, 7 (1), 31-35 (1998); De Rossi et al., "Dressware: Wearable piezo-and thermoresistive fabrics for ergonomics and rehabilitation," presented at the XIX Ann. Intl. Conf IEEE and EMBS, Chicago, October 30-Nov. 2,1997 ; and De Rossi et al. patent IT 1291473 (1997) ). De Rossi et al. report that this piezoresistive effect is due to an increase in the number of contacts between the fibers woven into the fabric when the fabric is stretched. A decrease in resistance of 20% was reported for an increase in length of 1% obtained by stretching. Metal coated fabrics were expected by De Rossi et al. to show the same piezoresistive effect. The deposition of metallic films using vacuum deposition was counted among the usable techniques for producing piezoresistive fabrics in the invention by De Rossi et al. , patent IT 1291473 (1997). Other methods mentioned for depositing conducting layers on various materials included writing a pattern by ink-jet printing. Such strain gauges have not been exploited to generate effects, however.

Effect-emitting devices are usually specialized for application in particular fields or in particular types of products.

Toys Toys with good play value allow variation'and flexibility in play, providing freedom for imagination and creativity. Interactivity is the ability of a toy to respond to a user's actions by emitting an effect, and it results in good play value. Interactivity is typically added through sound effects, lights, radio control, infra-red signals, movement, etc. Interactivity has been limited, however, by the use of buttons to activate the effects. The requirement that users push a button, key, or switch can interfere with play.

Examples of effect-emitting toys are electronic toys with sound chips. These are usually activated by pushbuttons, which have the advantage of being inexpensive. They have the disadvantage, however, of constraining the user's play because of the fixed positions and small size of the buttons. Furthermore, the digital action of the button limits the toy's response. Commercially available talking dolls, for example, are typically activated by the user squeezing the doll's hand, resulting in the playing of a pre-recorded message. Such buttons are digital, in the sense that they are either on or off, and this limits the toy to a digital response-to play a message or not. Buttons are also rigid, and thus feel like a mechanical device embedded in the soft toy, making the operation of the toy seem less natural.

Electronic toys may also produce light as an effect. For example, toy musical instruments can have keys that light up when they are depressed. These lights are also activated by buttons or switches, and so these toys have the same disadvantages as the sound- effect toys.

An example of a toy that uses radio-frequency waves is a radio controlled car or robotic animal. The user controls the toy by manipulating a hand-held control panel, which transmits a signal to the car. These panels have limited possibilities for interactivity. The same is true of control panels that send infra-red signals to a receiver in e. g. Nintendo-type game players. Some control panel devices make use of roller-balls or joysticks. These have the advantage of being analog, in the sense that they use position or angle information rather than only on-off information, but these controls are difficult to utilize in a format other than a control panel, such as in soft toys or wearable articles.

Soft toys have always been popular, but it has been difficult to achieve interactivity while maintaining softness. An unobtrusive sensing mechanism coupled with effect emitters would allow the creation of soft electronic toys.

Wearable effect-emitting toys have the potential for particularly good play value. The benefits of wearability are that the toy interfaces well with the user's activity, adding to and enhancing the activity without any hindrance. However, most wearable toys do not have good interactivity. For example, Martin, US patent 5,648, 753 (1997), describes a wearable sound emitting toy worn on the arm. To play a sound effect, the user must depress trigger switches. It is disruptive for a user to manually push buttons on an object while playing.

Furthermore, the sound effects are played to completion once the buttons are pushed, a disadvantage shared by most electronic sound-making toys. It is not possible to stop the sound once it starts, so the effect is not under the user's control. A similar gauntlet is described by Spraggins, US 4,820, 229 (1989). The sounds are not linked to the child's natural movement during play, but must be activated by the hand not wearing the gauntlet. A further drawback of all switch-activated devices is that the area of the control switch is always rather small. A distributed switch, i. e. , one with a larger active area, would be more desirable in some cases. Ferber, US 5,455, 749 (1995) describes clothing onto which can be mounted a current-operated sound and/or light emitting module and a control means, but the sounds and lights are unrelated to the user's activity. In general, the disadvantage of currently known wearable toys and other wearable electronic items is that the effects emitted are unrelated to body position or movement.

Interactive toys that respond to the user are desirable, and force and flexure sensors, as well as switches, have been applied to achieve this. Reinbold et al. , US 6,033, 370 (2000) describe a force feedback device that can be incorporated into squeeze balls or shoes. The device responds to pressure, however, not strain. Yanofsky, WO 9604053 (1996), describes a toy glove that produces sounds and is activated by pressure contact or electrical contact switches. This glove may be cumbersome to wear, especially for small children.

Furthermore, the device is not sensitive to small movements and is operated by switches.

Gastgeb et al. , US 4,904, 222 (1990) describe responsive toy swords and drumsticks that emit sounds and lights when they are waved. The effects are produced by a piezoelectric element responsive to flexure. It is incorporated in the body of the toy and gives a transient voltage when bent. This device has the disadvantage that piezoelectrics cannot generate a d. c. response, so the signal must be oscillatory. Thus, static positions cannot generate sounds.

Rehabilitation and Biofeedback Rehabilitation and training are facilitated by feedback, which may be in the form of sound or light signals, readings on dials or displays, or touch by an actuator. Feedback is particularly useful if a characteristic of the feedback signal (such as the intensity or frequency) is correlated with the magnitude (or other feature) of the motion. Such interactive devices allow a person to monitor his or her progress.

A considerable number of biofeedback devices related to rehabilitation have been patented. However, such biofeedback systems are often immobile and complicated, or they are controlled by a personal computer. Furthermore, many rehabilitation devices only deliver a fixed feedback signal when a threshold is exceeded. For these devices, the intensity of the signal does not depend on the characteristics of the motion. Moreover, biofeedback devices are specialized for this task, and cannot easily be adapted for use in other fields, such as toys.

Dempsey, US 4,557, 275 (1985) teaches a biofeedback system that includes a plurality of mercury switches that are complex and bulky, and the mercury poses a potential health hazard. The system does not provide feedback based on the extent of movement, but rather whether the movement has crossed a threshold. Stasiuk, CA 2184957 (laid open 1998) describes a portable, wearable system based on compression, rather than strain, which is thus not adaptable to being worn on body joints. Another load-sensing capacitive biofeedback device is described in Goldman, US 5,662, 123 (1997).

Hock, US 6,032, 530 (2000) overcomes some of these disadvantages. Hock describes a wearable biofeedback system for sensing body motion that can be worn on body joints and that provides audible feedback. It employs transducers that are directionally sensitive to flexure. These are mounted on the body with the aid of"universal appliances, "and selected motions of body members or joints are converted into audible tones. This is not a general- purpose technology, but is specifically designed to measure kinetic activity at selected points on a body. A significant disadvantage is that mounting appliances are necessary to apply the sensors to a body part. Pockets, slots, and other receptacles must be properly placed on the body by the user or a physician so that the angle of flexure can be properly recorded.

Hock, US 6,119, 515 (2000) describes another biofeedback system that includes strain sensors, coded means for positioning the sensors, and a suspender-style mounting system for attaching the sensors to the body. This system should be individually adjusted to each person by e. g. a physician. The stretch sensors cannot easily be used, but must be attached to the body using straps. The special strap fitments necessary to attach the sensors to the body add cost and complication to the system, as well as making it aesthetically unappealing. The stretch sensors are directional, requiring coding marks to be properly oriented, and they are mounted using fasteners at particular anchor points. While the Hock system is wearable and non-confining, it is not easy to manufacture and has many components. The piezofilm sensors that are the best fit to the invention have no d. c. response; these require special signal processing or circuitry. Another disadvantage is that different types of sensors must be used to measure different body movements. For instance, in order to measure the movement of the back, a first set of sensors is used, and to measure limb joints, a second set of sensors is used.

Movement Detection and Measurement The commercial product Shape Tape by Measurand, Inc. is a light weight, wearable, flexible ribbon that uses software to create a 3D computer image and a data set of its shape in real-time. The data is based on bend and twist (not strain) information from an array of fiber optic sensors along its length. Shape Tape is used for motion capture and virtual reality. While the tape itself is wearable, the system is not. Also, the system is expensive and complex and does not emit any effects.

The product DataGlove by VPL Research, Inc. similarly utilizes a plurality of fiber optic sensors on the back side of a glove for detecting finger position. It allows interactivity in a virtual environment based on measuring motions of the fingers. The DataGlove is also a complex technology, and thus difficult to adapt to consumer products.

Rawson, US 5,436, 444 (1995) describes a sound-generating wearable motion monitor based on a laser, optical fiber, and photo-receiver. The physical movement of the optical fiber generates a signal that is output to an amplifier. This technology is complex, expensive, and only emits a noise-like signal whose amplitude and average frequency mimic the motion.

Also, the device is difficult to miniaturize.

A system for measuring and numerically indicating postures and movements of the body is described by van Lummel, US 6,165, 143 (2000). No effects are emitted, and the preferred method of attaching the sensor to the body is again through the use of straps, which results in the same disadvantages as for Hock.

Suzuki, US 4,905, 560 (1990) shows a musical tone control apparatus with detectors for detecting the bending angles of the player's joints. A circuit worn by the player generates the tones. The detectors have a resistance element, links, and a sliding contact; a potentiometer produces a signal. A disadvantage of this approach is its mechanical nature, which makes incorporation into soft items difficult and impedes wearability.

De Rossi, IT patent 1291473, teaches a method and an apparatus for measuring the movement of body segments. The apparatus is a glove or other garment comprising sensing areas made of conjugated polymer-coated textiles, wiring segments that transfer the signal to a signal processing unit, a personal computer, and software for interpreting the signal. The De Rossi system is wearable, but not portable. In addition to sensing regions, the fabric comprises zones of high conductivity for transferring the sensed signal to a device for signal processing. The requirement for conducting zones adds considerable complexity to the fabric. This system does not emit any effects.

In summary, the known effect emitting devices that are known suffer from a number of disadvantages. The devices fall into two categories.

1. Systems that are responsive to movement, which are: - complex and expensive, - unsuitable for use in consumer products, especially by children, and - difficult to adapt for other applications.

2. Effect-emitting devices that are button operated and: - hinder interactivity and freedom of movement, - have a small control area defined by the button size, and - have only digital (on/off) control.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A general-purpose effect-emitting strain gauge device, comprising a stretchable, electrically conductive fabric whose electrical properties change upon stretching, a regulating electrical circuit that generates a signal in response to stretching or relaxing the stretchable fabric of the device, and an effect emitter that produces an effect, such as a sound, light, or radio control signal, in response to a signal from the regulating circuit. This device can be made wearable, and the magnitude of the emitted effect can be directly modulated by the degree of bending of a wearer's body joint (elbow, knee, finger, shoulder, back, etc. ), by extension of a<BR> body part (arm, leg, neck, etc. ), or by the speed or number of a wearer's movements. The device can also be incorporated into objects, such as stuffed toys or trampolines. The device can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including as a toy, for biofeedback purposes, and as a remote control device.

Objects and Advantages Accordingly, one object of the present invention is a general-purpose effect-emitting strain gauge device. This has the advantage of being useful in a wide variety of applications.

Another object is an effect-emitting device that can be made wearable and portable.

This has the advantage of allowing effects to be produced anywhere without hindrance.

Another object is an effect-emitting device that can be used to produce effects correlated with body positions or movements. This provides the advantage that the effects are due to the body positions or movements and that no extra motions, such as pushing buttons or switches, are necessary.

Another object is to provide an effect-emitting device for which the magnitude or type of effect can be made to depend on the magnitude, speed, or other characteristics (static or dynamic) of the user's positions or movements. Linking the effect to the activities of the user, rather than responding with a predetermined program, makes the device more interesting and fun. It has the advantage of providing feedback and good play value, as well as making it possible for those with limited motion to use the device.

Another object is to provide an effect-emitting device with a sensor that can be worn on any bendable or extendable body segment. This provides the advantage that the device can be worn on different parts of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device with a strain gauge that can be of arbitrary shape and size. This gives great design freedom and opens the possibility for using the device for a variety of applications. With a large area strain sensor, sensing can be distributed rather than point-like. With a small area sensor, the device can be used on small objects, in small spaces, or worn on small body parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an effect-emitting device that can be incorporated or designed into other articles, such as robots, stuffed toys, and the like. This allows increased enjoyment and functionality of the articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive effect-emitting device. This has the advantage of making the device affordable in a variety of price-sensitive markets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an effect-emitting device that does not rely on a computer. This has the advantage of portability and low cost.

Another object of the invention is a robust effect-emitting device. This has the advantage of allowing the device to stand up to rough use, such as by children playing.

Another object of the invention is an effect-emitting device that is sensitive to small movements. This allows the amplification of small differences in position or speed, which is especially useful for rehabilitation or training.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device whose effects can be made to cause delight. For toys, this has the advantage of good play value. For rehabilitation or training, it has the advantage of making the use of the device more pleasant.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device that can be miniaturized. This has the advantage of making the devices inexpensive, light-weight, more wearable, and better suited for incorporation into small objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device with a strain gauge that can easily be applied, such as by sewing or gluing. This eliminates the need for special skills to apply the strain gauge or for fitments or other mounting methods, and it allows inexpensive manufacture. It also allows the strain sensor to be made an integral part of e. g. a glove or other article of clothing or a plush toy as easily as part of a plastic, metal, or other rigid component.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device capable of a d. c. response. This allows the device to respond to position as well as movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device capable of having an analog response to strain. This allows greater flexibility in the types of effects that can be emitted, and the circumstances under which they are emitted, than effect-emitting devices with buttons or switches. It adds true interactivity.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device with a soft strain gauge. This can be incorporated into objects more unobtrusively than hard objects such as switches.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device capable of measuring strain at a plurality of points on the strain gauge and with a strain sensor capable of being stretched non-uniformly so that localized indentations or stretching can be detected.

This is advantageous when a large area should be monitored and the strain location identified.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device that can be operated by body parts other than hands. This allows greater flexibility in using the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device that can be made light-weight.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effect-emitting device whose response to stretch in various directions can be controlled by the manufacturer through the weave of the fabric and the design of the article. This has the advantage that either isotropic (non- oriented) or anisotropic (oriented) responses can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 shows a schematic diagram of the inventive effect emitting strain gauge device.

FIGURE 2A shows an example of the effect emitting device worn on a finger.

FIGURE 2B shows an example of the emitted effect depending on the degree of bending of a finger.

FIGURE 3 shows a circuit diagram of an analog circuit embodiment of the effect emitting strain gauge device.

FIGURE 4A shows a circuit diagram of a digital circuit embodiment of the effect emitting strain gauge device that uses a voltage divider to measure the resistance of the electrically conductive fabric.

FIGURE 4B shows a circuit diagram of a digital circuit embodiment of the effect emitting strain gauge device that uses RC elements to measure the resistance of the electrically conductive fabric.

FIGURE 5A shows the outside of a sound-emitting armband.

FIGURE 5B shows the inside of the sound-emitting armband.

FIGURE 5C shows the inside of the sound-emitting armband with the electrically conductive fabric folded over.

FIGURE 5D shows a method for attaching wires to the electrically conducting fabric using snaps.

FIGURE 5E shows a method for attaching wires to the electrically conducting fabric using permanent, clamp-on snaps with teeth.

FIGURE 6A shows an effect emitter on a knee cuff and signal emission upon flexing of the knee.

FIGURE 6B shows a knee cuff with a patterned sensing region in the shape of a monster's face made from weaving electrically conductive threads with regular, nonconducting thread.

FIGURE 7A shows the effect emitting strain gauge device in the form of a strip worn on the back.

FIGURE 7B shows the inventive device in the form of strips being worn on a robot's arms.

FIGURE 8 shows the inventive device decorated with a seasonal decoration; the effect emitter is a display whose output depends on the wearer's speed of movement.

FIGURE 9A shows eight cuffs, one worn on each finger.

FIGURE 9B shows fabric strain sensors incorporated into a glove, with sensing zones for each finger.

FIGURE 10 shows a schematic diagram of the inventive effect emitting strain gauge device with a more sophisticated regulating circuit.

FIGURE 11 shows a socket, an exchangeable effect emitter, and various types of effect emitters that can be used in the inventive device.

FIGURE 12A shows the inventive device incorporated in a stuffed toy.

FIGURE 12B shows the electrically conductive fabric attached within a frame or hoop.

FIGURE 12C shows a trampoline into which the inventive device is incorporated.

FIGURE 12D shows a close-up view of the stretchable component mounted between the trampoline fabric and frame.

FIGURE 13 shows a body suit worn by a golfer with the electrically conductive fabric incorporated at the shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Physical Description (Figure 1 and Figure 2) Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the major components of the effect emitting strain gauge device. A stretchable (extensible) electrically conductive fabric 20, whose electrical properties change with stretching (strain), is connected to a regulating circuit 22. (The electrically conductive fabric 20 can be thought of as a variable impedance, one element in the circuit 22. ) The circuit 22 outputs a signal to an effect emitter 24.

In one configuration, the strain gauge comprises a conjugated polymer coated fabric that changes its resistance when stretched, a circuit that detects and amplifies this resistance change, and noise or light makers. Other configurations are discussed below.

Figure 2A shows a wearable effect-emitting strain gauge device on a finger. (This figure is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the possible configurations or connections. ) In this example, the device is attached to the finger by means of fastening straps 30 that use a hook-and-loop mechanism 32 for closing. These straps allow the device to be adjusted for an individual finger. The electrically conductive fabric 20 is connected on two opposite sides to circuit 22 by wires 34 and 35 so that the electrical properties of the electrically conductive fabric 20 can be detected. The fabric 20 is attached to the straps 30 by stitching 31. The effect emitter 24 is attached to the circuit 22 by wires 36 and 37.

Below is a general discussion of the various device components that may be used in the effect-emitting strain gauge device. This discussion is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Fabric Strain Gauges Electrically conductive, conjugated polymer-coated fibers and fabrics are known.

Typical conjugated polymers are polypyrrole and polyaniline. Polypyrrole coated fabrics can be produced as follows. A porous substrate, such as cloth, can be dipped into an oxidant/dopant solution, dried, and then treated with pyrrole to produce an electrically conductive polypyrrole deposit in the interstices of the substrate. (See, e. g., Kuhn et al. , US 4,803, 096 (1989); Kuhn, "Characterization and application of polypyrrole-coated textiles,"Intrinsically Conducting Polymers-An Emerging Technology, Kluwer, Dordrecht, p. 25,1993 ; and De Rossi et al., "Dressware: wearable hardware,"Mat. Sci. Eng. C 7 (1) : 31-35 (1998). ) Polyaniline can be deposited on substrates in a similar way. Fibers made only of polyaniline are also known.

Electrically conductive textiles have been used for a variety of purposes. Several examples will demonstrate this. Conducting polymer coated materials are useful when corrosion or lack of adhesion prevents the use of metal-coated fabrics. Milliken's polypyrrole-coated fabrics show dissipation of static electricity for applications in conveyer belts, upholstery fabrics, carpets, and the like. For low frequency EMI shielding applications, coated fabrics with a surface resistance below 1 ohm/square can be produced. The military studied the use of polypyrrole and polyaniline-coated fabrics to create radar-absorbing materials for use in camouflage netting applications.

Particularly useful as piezoelectric materials are polypyrrole/LYCRA, polypyrrole/nylon, or polypyrrole/polyester because of their elasticity, ideal conformation to the human body, and high piezoresistive coefficients. A major supplier of these electrically <BR> <BR> conducting, conjugated polymer coated fabrics is the Milliken Research Corp. , Spartenburg, SC (USA). Such material may be prepared according to Kuhn et al., US patent 4,803, 096, assigned to Milliken.

Strain gauges can also be made from metallic fabrics. Swift Textile Metalizing LLC, Bloomfield, CT, provides electrically conductive, flexible metal-coated fabrics including wovens, nonwovens, and knits, filaments, and yarns. Electrically conductive yams containing metal are also known. Bekaert Fibre Technologies produces yams incorporating stainless steel threads, and DuPont produces metal-coated aramid yarns.

Effect-Emitting Components These and other components are well known and are commercially available. Some examples are given below.

Sound emitters are well established technology. Miniaturized sound emitters have been used in toys and greeting cards for many years. Examples include voice chips connected to speakers.

Light emitters are also well established. Small lights and displays are ubiquitous in electronic equipment and include light emitting diodes, lasers, incandescent bulbs, and liquid crystal displays.

Infrared emitters are found in most remote-control devices.

Radio control units are found in many electronic toys.

Temperature controllers are found in miniature form as Peltier effect devices that can both cool and heat.

Electric shocks can be delivered by a simple power supply.

Actuators that can be miniaturized and electrically activated include motors, piezoelectrics, electrostatic mechanisms, and microelectromechanical systems.

Vibrating motors are found in pagers and cell phones.

Power Supplies Power supplies for the regulating circuit and effect emitters are well known and commercially available. The power supply can be any of a number commonly used to power devices, including batteries, solar cells, wind-up spring mechanisms, wall current (e. g. alternating current 60 Hz, 110 V or 50 Hz, 220 V), and self-winding watch flywheel mechanisms. Batteries are preferred.

Regulating Electrical Circuits Regulating/sensing circuits may be quite simple, and, in general outline, are previously known. An example of an analog sensing circuit containing a resistance sensor and zero-adjust can be found in Carlson, Scientific American, May 1998, pp 76-77. Examples of effect-regulating circuits can be found in Martin 5,648, 753 (1997), Spraggins 4,820, 229 (1989), and Reinbold et al. 6,033, 370 (2000). Design of appropriate circuits is well known to those skilled in the electrical engineering arts.

Operation of the Invention (Figure 1 and Figure 2) The circuit 22 outputs a signal to the effect emitter 24 that depends on the electrical properties of the electrically conductive fabric 20, the rate of change of the electrical properties of the fabric 20, the number of times the electrical properties of the fabric 20 have changed, or on other static or dynamic electrical properties of fabric 20.

In one configuration, the electrically conductive fabric 20 is worn over a body joint and is stretched when this joint is bent, as shown in Figure 2A. Alternatively, the fabric 20 can be worn in such a manner that it is stretched by extending or swelling a body part (e. g. pushing out the belly). The fabric 20 is connected to, and forms part of, electrical circuit 22, so the resulting value (or change in value, or rate of change in value, etc. ) of an electrical property causes a change in the signal applied to the effect emitting component 24. The emitted effect can be in the form of sound or light, or the emitted effect can be radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, infrared light, ultrasound, an electric shock, a movement, or a change in temperature.

In Figure 2A, when the electrically conductive fabric 20 is stretched by bending the finger, its electrical property change is detected by regulating circuit 22, and a signal is sent to effect emitter 24. The magnitude of the signal is proportional to the degree of finger bending. When the finger is straightened, effect emission ceases immediately.

In Figure 2B, the type of signal that is emitted, rather than its magnitude, depends on the degree of bending of the finger. For a little bending, one effect is emitted, and for more bending a different effect is emitted. The number of effects can vary depending on how many effects the maker intends to provide to the user, or, for a programmable effect emitter, how many effects the user provides.

Other objects and features of the wearable effect emitting strain gauge device will become apparent from the following examples considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

Example 1-Analog Circuit (Figure 3) Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the wearable effect emitting strain gauge device. The electrically conductive fabric is a piece of polypyrrole-treated knitted polyester 40. The polyester fabric, sold under the trade name CONTEXO, type C- 425-1, was obtained from Milliken Research Corporation, Spartanburg SC. One side 40A of the polypyrrole coated fabric 40 is connected to the positive terminal of a first 1.5 V AA battery 42. A second side 40B of the polypyrrole coated fabric 40 is connected to the cathode terminal of a first diode 44. Electrical connection to the polypyrrole coated fabric 40 is made by weaving an unshielded wire through the fabric. Other connecting means that may be used include clips, snaps, metal-particle containing pastes and glues, compositions as described in Ferber, US 5,455, 749 (1995), low-temperature solder, and other means known to those in the art. The polypyrrole coated fabric is fastened to a finger as shown in Figure 2 by straps sewn onto it with attached hook-and-loop fasteners. The diode 44 can be purchased from Radio Shack, and is a Si diode model IN4001 rated for 50V, 1A. The second side of the polypyrrole coated fabric 40 is further connected to the positive input of an op amp 52. The op amp 52, model ICL 7611, is available from Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale CA.

The negative terminal of battery 42 is connected to the anode terminal of diode 44. The positive terminal of the battery 42 is further connected to the positive power input of op amp 52. The anode terminal of first diode 44 is further connected to the anode terminal of a second diode 46. The diode 46 is identical to the diode 44. The anode terminals of diodes 44 and 46 are further connected to the positive terminal of a second 1.5 V AA battery 50. The negative terminal of the battery 50 is connected to a terminal 48B of a potentiometer 48.

Another terminal 48A of potentiometer 48 is connected to the cathode terminal of diode 46.

The variable third terminal 48C of potentiometer 48 is connected to the positive input of op amp 52. The potentiometer is a model 503M 8805 available in the potentiometer and trimmer assortment 271-1605 from Radio Shack. The negative input of op amp 52 is connected to a terminal of a 100 kQ resistor 58 and to a terminal of a 1 MQ resistor 54. The resistors 54 and 58 are available from Radio Shack in the metal-film resistor assortment 271- 309A and are rated at 1/4watt, 1% tolerance. The other terminal of resistor 58 is connected to the positive terminal of battery 50. The negative power supply of op amp 52 is connected to the negative terminal of battery 50. The output of op amp 52 is connected to the other terminal of resistor 54, and the output of op amp 52 is also connected to a terminal of a <BR> <BR> buzzer 56. The buzzer is a model 273-053A 3 V DC Mini Buzzer rated at 1.5 to 3 V d. c. , 15 mA available from Radio Shack. The other terminal of buzzer 56 is connected to the negative terminal of battery 30.

The op amp 52 is connected to resistors 54 and 58 in a manner well known to those in the art to result in amplification at the output of op amp 52 of the voltage at the positive input of op amp 52. The parts of the circuit 40,42, and 44 are mirrored by the parts 48,50, and 46, respectively. When the resistance between terminals 48B and 48C of potentiometer 48 is equal to or greater than the resistance of the polypyrrole coated fabric 40, the positive input of op amp 52 is zero volts, and no signal is output. The user can adjust the potentiometer 48 so that the resistance between terminals 48B and 48C is equal to the resistance of the polypyrrole coated fabric 40 in its relaxed, unstretched state. When, due to stretching by bending the finger, the resistance of polypyrrole coated fabric 40 decreases below the threshold resistance between terminals 48B and 48C of potentiometer 48, a small positive voltage is experienced by the positive input of op amp 52, causing the op amp to amplify the non-zero voltage signal. The amplified voltage causes the buzzer 56 to buzz. When the fabric is relaxed so that it returns to the threshold length, the positive input of op amp 52 returns to zero volts, and the buzzer stops buzzing.

Conjugated polymer coated fabrics have a number of advantages. They are comfortable to wear, easy to sew together to form various garments or parts of other cloth objects, and the sewing results in the formation of electrical contact between various conducting fabric pieces so that no additional electrical connections are necessary.

Furthermore, the AR/R is large and almost linearly proportional to AL/L up to 1% (see De Rossi et al., Mater. Sci. Eng. C, 7 (1), 31-35 (1998) ). For the polypyrrole coated fabric 40, CONTEX O C-425-1, the resistance changes from hundreds of kQ in the relaxed state to tens of kQ upon maximum stretching, allowing small stretches to be easily detected and the emitted effects to be made proportional to the degree of stretching. The resistance change does not have a strong orientation dependence, although the fabric is mechanically more compliant along one orientation than in the perpendicular orientation.

Example 2-Light Emitting Diode In another embodiment of the effect emitting strain gauge device, the buzzer 56 in Figure 3 is replaced by a light emitting diode. The light emitting diode is part of a light emitting diode assortment, number 276-1622, purchased from Radio Shack.

When the polypyrrole-treated knitted polyester electrically conductive fabric 20 is stretched, the diode lights up. When the fabric is not stretched, the diode is off. This example and the previous one illustrates that the device is capable not only of an analog response, but can also have a digital response, as if the strain gauge were a switch.

Example 3-Digital Circuit with Microchip (Figure 4 and Figure 5) In another embodiment of the invention, a microchip is used to measure the resistance of the fabric and output a note whose frequency depends on the degree of stretching of the fabric. Figure 4A shows schematic diagram of the circuit 230, Figure 4B shows a second circuit diagram, and Figure 5 shows photographs and diagrams of an armband device in which the circuit 230 can be used.

In Figure 4A, the electrically conductive fabric is a piece of polypyrrole treated fabric CONTEXO C-425-1 with a nominal resistance of approximately 5500 Q/square but an actual resistance of approximately 50,000 Q/square. The higher resistance is preferable because the resistance of a piece of fabric a few inches on each side varies from hundreds of kQ to tens of kQ when the fabric is stretched. If the resistance is too low, the fabric can be rinsed in water to increase its resistance.

In Figure 4A, one side of the polypyrrole treated fabric 40 is connected to ground.

The other side of polypyrrole treated fabric 40 is connected to pin 7 of the microchip 202, which is a PIC 12C671 manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc. Pin 7 of microchip 202 is also connected to pin 6 through a 90 kQ resistor 204. Pin 8 of microchip 202 is connected to ground. Pin 5 of microchip 202 is connected to the base of an npn transistor 206, model 2N3904 manufactured by Fairchild Semiconductor, through a 1 kQ resistor 208. The emitter of transistor 206 is connected to speaker 210, an 8 Q, 0.1 W plastic membrane speaker, RadioShack model 273-092. The other lead of speaker 210 is connected to ground. The collector of transistor 206 is connected to the emitter of transistor 212, another 2N3904. The base of transistor 212 is connected to a 30 kQ resistor 214 and a 22 F capacitor 216 arranged in parallel. The other leads of resistor 214 and capacitor 216 are connected to pin 3 of microchip 202. The collector of transistor 212 is connected through switch 218 to the positive terminal of a stack of two Li coin batteries (not shown) that supply 6 V. The batteries were purchased as a stack with legs, part P143-ND from Digikey. Pin 8 of microchip 202 is also connected to the positive terminal of the batteries through switch 218.

Pins 2 and 4 of microchip 202 are unconnected.

The resistor 214, capacitor 216, and transistor 212 cause the volume to decay smoothly, rather than ending abruptly, when the voltage on pin 5 of microchip 202 is turned off, making a more pleasing, piano note-like sound. The resistor 204 forms a voltage divider with the fabric 40. Pin 6 is periodically made an output, and then the voltage at pin 7 is sampled. If the fabric resistance decreases, then the voltage at pin 7 drops. Pin 5 outputs a square wave with a frequency that depends on the voltage detected at pin 7.

Microchip 202 is controlled by an embedded program, which puts out notes whose frequency depend on the degree of stretching of the polypyrrole treated fabric 40. When the on/off switch 218 is closed, the program begins to run. Pin 7 is set as an analog input channel. The program causes pin 6 to output 6 V and measures the voltage at pin 7. This voltage is stored in memory as a set voltage, or reference point, as vinit. This zero adjust allows the user to control the threshold stretch below which no sound is produced. Pin 6 is changed to an input rather than an output pin to conserve energy when the voltage on pin 7 is not being read. The program then periodically measures the voltage (v_meas) at pin 7 and compares it to the set voltage (vinait). If v_meas is approximately the same as v_init, then no voltage is output on pin 5. If v_meas is small compared to v_init, then a frequency that corresponds to the difference vinit-vmeas is determined using a look-up table. The voltage at pin 5 is switched between 0 and 6 V at the desired frequency.

In Figure 4B, another digital circuit is illustrated in which the microchip 202 measures the resistance of the electrically conductive fabric using an RC element. Pin 8 is connected to ground. Pin 7 is connected to a resistor 205 in series with speaker 210; speaker 210 is connected to ground. Pin 6 is connected to capacitor 217 in parallel with polypyrrole treated fabric 40. Capacitor 217 and fabric 40 are also connected to ground. Pin 1 is connected to +6 V through on/off switch 218. The other pins are not connected. Pin 6 is periodically configured to be a 6 V output by the microchip's program, charging the capacitor. Then pin 6 is configured to be an input; when the capacitor is largely discharge, the pin goes to 0 V, which can be detected by the program. The time required depends on the capacitance C of capacitor 217 and the resistance R of the fabric 40. The capacitance is fixed, so the time depends only on the resistance of the fabric. The output of the microchip to the speaker depends on the time it takes pin 6 to go from 1 to 0.

Example 4-Cuff Shape (Figure 5 and Figure 6) Figure 5A shows the outside of an armband 220 that can be worn on the elbow or knee that makes use of the circuit in Figure 4A. The armband consists of a rectangular piece of elastic fabric 222 of the sort used to make leotards. It is more compliant in one direction than the other. The more compliant orientation is horizontal and goes around the arm when the rectangle is made into a tube-shape using the plurality of hook strips 224. The conventional fabric 222 provides regions of the wearable device that do not generate a signal and is lower cost than fabric 40. The digital circuit 230, including speaker 210 and switch 218, of Figure 4A are usually housed in a pocket 223 on the outside of the armband ; in this photograph they have been pulled out so that they can be seen. Polypyrrole treated fabric 40 is visible through a diamond-shaped opening 227.

Figure 5B shows the inside of armband 220. Loop strips 226 are used to close the armband together with strips 224. Wires 232 from digital circuit 230 (not shown in this view) on the outside of the armband are fed through a hole (not shown) behind pocket 226 (not shown in this view) in the elastic fabric 222. A flap 228 of the same fabric as 222 keeps the wires 232 in place. Wires 232 are attached to a piece of polypyrrole treated fabric 40 in the shape of a diamond using snaps 234 and 235.

Figure 5C shows that electrically conducting fabric 40 has strips 236 sewn onto its edges. Additional strips 238 are sewn around opening 227 onto the fabric 222 of armband 220 to allow the polypyrrole treated fabric 40 to be fastened onto it. The polypyrrole treated fabric 40 could alternatively be sewn directly onto elastic fabric 222. strips 236 and 238 allow easy removal of the polypyrrole treated fabric 40 for prototyping.

Figure 5D shows the method used to attach the wires 232 to the snaps 234 and 235. A wire is soldered using solder 242 to the bump 240 at the top of the upper half 234a of the snap 234. The polypyrrole treated fabric 40 is fastened by pressing the upper 234a and lower 234b halves of the snap 234 together. The snaps are removable and are thus convenient for prototyping.

Figure SE shows an alternative, permanent method for attaching the wires 232 to the polypyrrole treated fabric 40. Prong snaps 250, which have bendable teeth 252 in the upper half 250a, are pressed together over wire 232 and through polypyrrole treated fabric 40.

When pressed together, the teeth 252 deform and lock onto lower half 250b of snap 250. To ensure that the wire 232 does not slip out from snap 250, it is bent into a loop around one of the teeth 250. Rivets can also be used to attach the wires 232 to the fabric 40.

Figure 6A shows a cuff 70 worn on the knee with the electrically conductive fabric 20 over the kneecap; fabric 20 stretches when the knee is bent, causing the effect emitter 24 to activate. Cuff 70 may comprise conventional fabrics or plastics, and it is fabricated using standard sewing, gluing, and/or molding techniques. Additional components may also include plastic housings to protect the circuitry and/or effect emitting components or to house batteries. The effect emitter and circuitry may be mounted on these additional components.

Other components may be used to enable the article to be shaped into a cuff. Fastener components may include hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, zippers, buttons, etc. Alternatively, the ends of a strip may be sewn together, and the cuff slid onto the body part. The cuff may be worn on any bendable portion of the body, such as a finger, wrist, elbow, neck, knee, ankle, or on an expandable part of the body, such as the waist, or on the head over the ears.

The stretchable cuff 70 can be worn either over or under clothing. The cuff may be used as a feedback device for medical purposes. For example, if a joint is to be held immobile, the cuff will give an alarm when the joint is moved; as an example, such a cuff may be worn on the neck.

Example 5-Miniaturization In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the regulatory circuit and effect emitting components are miniaturized because light weight and compactness are desirable. The circuitry, for example, can be produced on a printed circuit board. This procedure is known to those skilled in the art, and one can arrange to have custom printed circuit boards manufactured in the commercial marketplace. Alternatively, all or part of the circuit can be miniaturized on an integrated circuit (IC) chip. Chip foundries exist that can perform this task. The speaker of a sound emitter may also be miniaturized. Such speakers are available commercially. Watch batteries, coin batteries, camera batteries, or other small batteries can be utilized.

Example 6-Stretchable Resistance-Changing Materials (Figure 6) As pointed out in De Rossi et al. IT 1291473 (1997), individual threads can be covered with conjugated polymers or metals and then woven into fabrics. In another embodiment, the electrically conductive fabric is a metal-coated fabric or a fabric with metal-containing threads.

In still other embodiments, the electrically conductive fabric is made a) of conducting polymer (e. g. , polyaniline) threads or fibers, b) ion implanted polymer threads or fibers, c) threads or fibers made from a blend of another material with a conjugated polymer, or d) metal particle or carbon filled polymer threads or fibers. It is well established in the literature that blending conjugated polymers, metal particles, carbon, or other conductors with conventional, insulating polymers results in a conducting blend if the fraction of the conducting component exceeds a percolation threshold. Thus, woven articles of these blends or materials coated with these blends are expected to show the same piezoresistive effect.

If other, conventional fibers are also used in the weaving, then the sensing element can be patterned. This may be done for aesthetic reasons or to control the location of the sensing zones. For example, Figure 6B shows a cuff 70 in which electrically conductive threads 76 have been woven with regular, non-conducting threads 74 to give a monster- shaped sensing zone 72. The fabric is electrically conductive where the electrically conductive threads are used, but not elsewhere.

Example 7-Strip Shape (Figure 7) In another embodiment, the device is worn in the shape of a strip. The strip is attached to clothing by sewing or using e. g. pins, snaps, or hook and loop elements, or is attached to a body using tape or adhesive.

Figure 7A shows the effect emitting strain gauge device 80 in the form of a strip worn on the back. This feedback device may be used to improve posture.

In this embodiment and the cuff embodiment, the wearer can be a person or an animal, a plant, a robot or robotic toy, a piece of machinery, a vehicle, or other thing capable of movement, either autonomously or with the aid of gravity, wind, etc. Figure 7B shows the inventive device 80 in the form of strips worn on a robot's arms.

Example 8-Decorations (Figure 8) The device can be decorated in various ways to improve its appearance or identify its behavior. Figure 8 shows the inventive device worn as a cuff decorated with a seasonal decoration 92. The decoration 92 may be an integral part of the stretchable component, for example the pattern may be woven using a combination of conventional thread and conjugated polymer-coated thread or metal-containing thread. The decoration 92 may alternatively be an article that is attached by, for example, sewing, gluing, riveting, etc.

Patterns may be printed, screened, or painted over the stretchable resistance-changing component or over additional components as described above. Other materials may be attached to the device, such as sequins. The decorations may correspond to the effects emitted. For example, a dog's face may be represented on the effect emitting strain gauge device for a sound emitter that produces barking noises. The decorations may be used to give a nice appearance to the housing for batteries or circuitry or other components of the device.

Example 9-Sound Generators In another embodiment of the invention, the buzzer 56 or the microchip 202 is replaced by another sound generator, such as a digital sound-producing circuit. This may comprise a tone generator and a memory. (Tone generators are described in Spraggins, US 4,820, 229 (1989). The tone generator may comprise a central processing unit (CPU) that reads values stored in memory and converts the values contained in memory into analog wave-forms sent to a speaker to reproduce the recorded sound. The memory would preferably be non-volatile so that loss of power does not result in loss of its contents. The memory could be user-programmable with different sounds.

The sound generating means can comprise an electronic digital sound playback device. Such a device, as is known in the art, has a digitally encoded sound, sound effect, voice, or music stored in memory which is regenerated by a microprocessor and a digital-to- analog converter for playback on a speaker. Such a device can be contained on a single integrated circuit or chip. Sound chip ISD 1020 can accommodate up to 20 seconds of recorded sound (see Martin, US patent 5,648, 753 (1997) ). EPROM digital sampler microchips can also be used. The sound generating means can alternatively comprise electro- mechanical sound or noise generators, as well as small analog or digital recording playback devices such as magnetic tape or disk.

Sounds can be programmed using various means, such as the one in Li et al. , US 5,768, 223 (1998). They describe an audio device using control cards to generate signals from a memory module storing digitized audio data. Sounds can also be varied using interchangeable cartridges as discussed in Example 13, below.

Sound generators are known and are available in the commercial marketplace. AGC <BR> <BR> Sound, a subsidiary of Apple Gift Corp. , Floral Park NY, produces musical, sound effect, and talking modules such as used in greeting cards and other novelty articles, and will make custom circuits.

Sound generators may, of course, be larger. These include magnetic tape players, compact disk players, and radios.

The sounds may be chosen to be part of a series, such as the eight notes in a scale.

Figure 9A shows eight cuffs, one worn on each finger, each activating a different note, forming a virtual piano. In Figure 9B, the strain gauges are incorporated into a glove to form the virtual piano; electronic components 22 and 24 can be placed on the back of the hand.

The sounds may be chosen to represent an action and a consequence. For example, two cuffs may be worn, with the first making the sound of screeching tires and the second breaking glass.

The sounds may be chosen to represent phonemes, spoken sounds, or simple words.

A set of devices worn on various parts of the body could thus be used to facilitate communication.

Example 10-Lights (Figure 8) The effect emitters may be light bulbs, light emitting diodes, lasers, or display devices. The lights can form a pattern on the wearable component, such as a sun or animal or a name. A display device can show patterns or pictures or text. Figure 8shows the inventive device worn as a cuff on the elbow with such a display 94. The patterns that are lit and the images or text that are displayed depend on the extent or speed of the user's movements, the number of movements made, or on other static or dynamic characteristics of the movement.

Example 11-Signal Emitters (Figure 9) The effect emitted can be an infrared signal or other electromagnetic radiation. The signal can be used to control an apparatus, such a lamp or television. The effect emitting device thus serves as a wearable remote control. This has the advantages of ease of use and avoids getting misplaced or in the way. The signals from multiple devices, such as the finger cuffs of Figure 9A, or from multiple sensing zones as in Figure 9B, might be used in place of a control pad for video game consoles.

Example 12-Circuit Improvements (Figure 10) The regulatory circuit can be either analog or digital. An analog example was presented in Figure 3 and a digital example in Figure 4. An alternative analog circuit would make use of a Wheatstone bridge. Due to their sensitivity, Wheatstone bridge circuits are advantageous for measuring resistance, inductance, and capacitance. Wheatstone bridges are widely used for strain measurements. A quarter bridge consists of four resistors arranged in a diamond orientation. A D. C. voltage is applied between the top and bottom of the diamond and an output voltage is measured across the middle. One of the legs of the bridge may be a strain gauge, and the other legs of the bridge have a resistance equal to that of the strain gauge. When the resistance of the strain gauge changes, a voltage appears across the middle of the bridge.

The use of digital components, such as microprocessors, analog to digital converters, display controllers, and logic chips, greatly expands the possibilities for converting movements into effects.

In other embodiments of the invention, the regulatory circuit is more sophisticated and/or improved, as illustrated in Figure 10. For example, to reduce power consumption, included within the circuit is a power saver circuit that cuts power to various components when the device is not in use. For another example, a detector is included that automatically turns the device on. In another example, the circuit includes a means to allow the user to choose among various sounds in a sound memory module or electromagnetic signals in a memory module, or to choose between different color LEDs. Alternatively, the circuit includes a means to vary the emitted effects depending on the position, velocity, acceleration, history, or other property of the stretching of the electrically conductive fabric. In another example, the circuit includes a means to cause various patterns to be displayed on a set of lights or on a display. For instance, the output of the regulating circuit could be connected to multiple lights so that more lights are lighted as the stretching of the electrically conductive fabric increases. In another example, the circuit includes a means to operate various effect emitters in sequence or with a particular timing upon stretching the stretchable component.

For example, LEDs may be lighted in a particular sequence or may flash at a rate proportional to the degree of stretching.

In another example, the circuit includes a means to measure the speed of the user's movement. This means may be, for example, a differentiator. (Acceleration would use two differentiators. ) The output signal to the effect emitter (s) can be made proportional to this speed. This can be achieved through software, or circuits can readily be designed by those skilled in the art. Figure 8 shows the inventive device worn on the elbow with a display 94 whose output is proportional to the speed of movement of the user, indicated by the lines 90.

In another example, the circuit includes a means to count the number of movements made by the user and to control the emitted effects based on this number. For example, one movement may cause the number 1 to be displayed on a liquid crystal display device, two movements the number 2, etc. Circuits such as these can readily be designed by those skilled in the art with the use of a counting element, or the counting means can be implemented through software.

It is to be understood that the above described circuitry is intended to demonstrate, in general, the theory of operation and the electronic circuits used to create the effects of the present invention. There are other ways to combine electronic circuits and software to accomplish the desired result, and they are intended to be included with the spirit of the present invention, which is not limited to the specific circuitry shown or described.

Example 13-Exchangeable Effect Emitters (Figure 11) As shown in Figure 11, the effect emitting strain gauge device can include one or more sockets 100 into which various effect emitters 24 can be plugged. This allows the user to change, for instance, between different sounds, or between sounds and other effects.

Various effect emitting cartridges are also illustrated: sound emitter 101, electric shock emitter 102, temperature emitter (heater or cooler) 103, light emitter 104, infra-red or radio wave (invisible electromagnetic radiation) emitter 105, and movement emitter (actuator) 106.

Example 14-Programmable Effect Emitters The effect emitter or the regulating circuit can include a means for the manufacturer or user to program the inventive device to various predetermined sounds, images, signals, patterns, etc. Alternatively, the effect emitter or the regulating circuit can include a means for the user to program the inventive device to emit user-defined sounds, images, signals, patterns, etc.

Example 15-Incorporation Into Articles (Figure 12 and Figure 13) The inventive device can be incorporated into objects. Examples are illustrated in Figure 12 and Figure 13. In Figure 12A, the electrically conductive fabric 20 is the fabric panel that forms the belly of a stuffed toy. Alternatively, the electrically conductive fabric can be placed underneath the fabric that forms the belly. A heart-shaped pattern of lights 110 is the effect emitter. The power supply, circuitry, and interconnecting wiring are placed within the stuffed toy so they are not visible from the exterior. Squeezing the stuffed toy or poking its belly cause the heart to light.

Figure 12B shows a round central portion 112 attached with attaching means 114 to a frame 111, in this example a hoop-shaped frame. The effect emitter and circuit (not shown) are housed in or on the frame. The central portion 112 may comprise the electrically conductive fabric. Deforming it, such as by punching or pinching, causes the effect emitters to activate. In another possible embodiment, the central portion 112 is a piece of fabric, plastic, or other material, and the attaching means 114 comprise the electrically conductive fabric. Displacing the central portion causes the attaching means 114 to stretch, and the effect emitters to activate.

Figure 12C shows a trampoline 120. (This is similar to the device in Figure 12B.) The electrically conductive fabric can be quilted during manufacture to the underside of the trampoline fabric 122 or later retrofitted to it. Alternatively, the electrically conductive fabric can be attached to the springs or attaching means 124 or strung between the frame 121 and the central portion 122 as illustrated in Figure 12D. With any of the above configurations, jumping on the trampoline causes the electrically conductive fabric to stretch, causing the regulating circuit (not shown) to send a signal to a sound creating device (not shown) and the loudspeaker 126. The signal from the regulating circuit can be sent to the loudspeaker via a cable or an infrared signal. The device, including the loudspeaker 126, can be powered by wall current (110 V or 220 V ac) as shown by the power cord 128 or by batteries or other means.

Figure 12D shows a close-up view of the trampoline fabric 122, the frame 121, and the attaching means 124 (in this example shown as springs). The component 123 comprises electrically conductive fabric 20 and is mounted between the trampoline fabric 122 and the frame 121 using two hooks 129. (The circuit and connecting leads are not shown. ) With this configuration, any trampoline can be retrofitted with the inventive effect-emitting device.

Similarly, many other moving objects or moving parts could be so retrofitted, using attaching means such as hooks, adhesive tape, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.

Figure 13 shows a shirt incorporating the inventive fabric strain gauge sensors that can be used to provide feedback for sports training. Since the electronics can readily be miniaturized, they can be hidden from view, for example by sewing them into an interior pocket.

Example 16-Other Electrical Properties In another embodiment, the electrically conductive fabric changes capacitance or inductance when stretched. Alternatively, the complex impedance is changed when it is stretched. Thus, the circuit may detect a change in the RC time constant, or a change in the phase of an a. c. waveform.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to particular examples, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible and contemplated within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Conclusions, Ramifications, and Scope of the Invention The inventive effect emitting strain gauge device is a general-purpose effect-emitting strain gauge device that is simple but very useful and is based on electrically conductive fabrics.

This device does not depend on a personal computer. The device can be incorporated into a large variety of articles, either hard or soft, so it has many applications. It can be incorporated into soft toys and fabric articles, used as a"smart skin", or attached to rigid objects. Its versatility stems from the ease of mounting the device, ability to scale the size up or down, and the large strains the fabric can undergo. The device allows the article to respond to the user's movements, such as squeezing, pulling, or bending. Large or small areas of the article can be sensitized. The device can operate in either digital mode (on/off) or analog mode (continuous). The ability to miniaturize the device adds to the number of applications for which it can be used. Because the device is simple, requiring only a few components, it is inexpensive to manufacture.

The device can be made wearable and portable because it is light weight, unobtrusive, and comfortable. Thus, effects are produced without hindering the normal movements of a wearer during play, training, or other use. The effects arise from the wearer's movements, even if those movements are very small, without the need to press buttons. This not only allows children to play naturally with the device, but is also a boon to those with limited or weak movement capability, for example due to atrophy. The effects can be made dependent on the magnitude or speed of the wearer's movements, or the number of movements, allowing a range of interesting effects and applications. The effect emitting device can be worn on any number of body parts, allowing the entire body to participate. This has good play value, as well as being of interest to the sports person and for rehabilitation or feedback.

The inventive device can be used in a number of application areas.

Applications : Toys As a toy, this simple device is used to provide amusement, either as a single unit or in combination with other units. For example, in Figure 6A the device is worn as a band around the knee and in Figure 9A around the fingers. Such a finger-band can be used to make a gun shooting sound. A band worn on the knees can be used to make sounds of cars or motorcycles when a person is running. Two arm bands can be used together, one to make a first sound, such as brakes screeching, and the other to make a second sound related to the first, such as a crash. A number of bands worn all over the body can produce a sound and light display coordinated with dancing. Bands worn on multiple fingers create a"virtual piano"or other musical instrument. In addition to bands or cuffs, other wearable forms may also be used, including gloves, shirts, ski masks, pants, socks, strips with adhesive ends, etc.

A plurality of the inventive devices can be incorporated into a body-suit at numerous bendable or extensible body positions, so that the suit can generate various effects from the entire body.

As another example, Figure 12A shows a soft toy incorporating the device.

Depending on the geometry, the toy could respond to squeezing, pulling, crumpling, bending, poking, etc. A plurality of sensors can be used and a plurality of effects produced, either in response to a single sensor or to several. Analog and discrete responses can both be used in a single toy.

The sound volume can be linked to the extent of the resistance drop, which is controlled by the amount of bending or stretching. Thus, sound volume can be directly modulated by limb bending degree or toy squeezing. Similarly, light brightness can be controlled. Sound/light /other effects can be generated while running, wiggling fingers, dancing, jumping on trampolines, or other activities.

A wide variety of sounds that are fun for different children can be programmed into a sound module. The devices could come with a standard socket for holding lights and/or sounds.

Various groups of effect emitters can be sold as sets.

Alternatively, a single sound module may be programmed to emit different sounds. This could be achieved by using an optical scanner and a set of bar codes, or by an insertable card.

Another method would be to first download a sound from a computer, tape recorder, etc. to a <BR> <BR> memory associated with the sound module. Li et al. , US 5,768, 223 (1998), describe an audio device for a toy using control cards to control signals from a memory module storing digitized audio data. In addition, Eskildsen, US 5,962, 839 (1999) describes a device with a reading member for reading bar codes, each code representing an action; a computer can generate the codes.

A more complex effect emitter may be envisioned. For example, for older children a small liquid crystal display (LCD) could be programmed to show different images.

Application: Biofeedback Because the device is sensitive to body movement, it is readily applied to biofeedback purposes. In one such embodiment, it can be used for the correction of posture. When the back is hunched, the electrically conductive fabric will be stretched relative to when the back is straight, which will generate a signal to the wearer (Figure 7). Feedback can also be useful to athletes who want to train themselves to take a certain stance, such as a golfer (Figure 14); if the limbs are not in the right position, as determined by the user, then the user will hear a sound. It can also be useful in providing feedback on motions, such as a golf swing or belly dancing, by providing an auditory signal characteristic of the motion.

For another example, biofeedback uses of the device are helpful during rehabilitation. It can be used to monitor the function of a limb, indicating by loudness whether more motion is being achieved. Because of the sensitivity of the electrically conductive fabric and the amplification provided by the circuit, even small motions are detectable. Together with a user- controlled set point, the device could therefore be used to monitor small improvements.

Application: Communication Severely disabled people sometimes have a limited use of only a few muscle groups.

The device in this patent could be used on various parts of the body, such as in the form of patches. In this case, the auditory signals might be used directly to synthesize crude speech, or an infrared light coupled with a detector could be used to communicate via a computer.

Application : Control A signal produced by the effect emitting strain gauge device could be used to control other devices and apparatuses (stereo, TV, or room lights), either by auditory, light, or infrared signals. These are easier to use and harder to lose than standard remove controls.

Application : Monitoring Devices placed on infants or disabled or comatose persons can be used to signal their movements. This is useful for monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment.

Application : Training Biofeedback can be used for training of muscles. For example, to teach oneself to wiggle one's ears usually requires practice in front of a mirror. This auditory signal provided by a headband or by ear muffs or a hat could be used instead.

The inventive device could be used to improve sports and dance motions. The devices may be incorporated in a body suit at several positions, such as shoulders, elbows, and wrists (Figure 14). The particular sequence, duration, and loudness of sounds during the movement, for example a golf swing, would be helpful in improving the movement. The sounds of an ideal movement may be recorded by professionals for comparison. The user would try to emulate the ideal sound as part of the training.

Application : Clothing Clothing with decorative lights (or other effects) that flash in response to the wearer's movements can be made. Fashionable jackets, dresses, etc. could be made interactive.