Patent Publication Number: US-8116898-B2

Title: Digital garment using knitting technology and fabricating method thereof

Description:
This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0017485, filed on Feb. 26, 2008 in the KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein entirely by reference. Further, this application is the National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/KR2008/003725, filed Jun. 27, 2008, which designates the United States and was published in English. Each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present application. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a digital garment using a knitting technique and a method for fabricating the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the near future, people will be living in a ubiquitous world where they can access networks in real time to exchange information everywhere at any time. Under these circumstances, digital garments are required for ease of access to surrounding networks. Thus, there is a need for digital yarn, which is a kind of thread through which electrons can migrate to deliver information, suitable for the fabrication of digital garments. 
     When it is intended to use digital yarns to manufacture digital fabrics capable of communicating with electronic modules, communication circuits or lines are not linearly connected to electronic modules but their positions are varied (e.g., upward, downward, left and right directions) depending on the arrangement of the electronic modules. 
     Warp threads and weft threads constituting a fabric are woven only in selected directions (e.g., upward/downward or left/right directions). For example, after warp threads and weft threads are woven in right and left directions, they cannot be woven in upward and downward directions. That is, it is impossible to weave warp threads and weft threads in various directions. 
     In the meanwhile, digital yarns can be woven in various desired directions using a knitting technique to create communication circuits or lines capable of connecting electronic modules. Until now, however, no research and development has been conducted on the fabrication of digital garments using a knitting technique. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital garment that is fabricated using a knitting technique, knitting yarns and digital yarns, thereby eliminating the need for additional processing to weave or connect the digital yarns and reprocessing the digital yarns. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for fabricating the digital garment. 
     Technical Solution 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a digital garment comprising a plurality of knitting yarns forming loops at regular intervals and interwoven through the loops, and one or more digital yarns woven with the knitting yarns and through which a current flows, wherein the knitting yarns and the digital yarns are knitted together into a garment. 
     The digital yarns may be woven in the horizontal or vertical direction with respect to the loops of the knitting yarns. 
     The digital yarns may form loops at regular intervals and the loops of the digital yarns may be tied to the loops of the knitting yarns. 
     The digital yarns may form loops at regular intervals and the loops of the digital yarns may be tied to loops of other digital yarns. 
     The digital yarns may be knitted in a wave-like pattern with the knitting yarns or another digital yarn. 
     The knitting yarns and the digital yarns may be knitted into a mesh stitch, a cable stitch, a rib stitch, a plain stitch or a combination thereof. 
     The digital garment may comprise a body portion and arm portions disposed opposite to each other at both sides of the body portion wherein the body portion and the arm portions are integrally knitted without any seams and the digital yarns are woven with the knitting yarns from one of the arm portions to the other arm portion via the body portion. 
     In the digital garment, the digital yarns may be knitted with the knitting yarns in the horizontal or vertical direction with respect to the body portion. 
     A device selected from soft touch pads, electric screens, sensors, wireless communication modules, computing devices and electric modules may be electrically connected to each end of the digital yarns. 
     The knitting yarns may be single-ply yarns or multiple-ply yarns. 
     Each of the digital yarns may include at least one metal line positioned at the center of the cross section thereof to provide a communication path, and a coating layer surrounding the metal line to shield electromagnetic waves. 
     The metal line may be made of a material selected from copper, copper alloys, silver, silver alloys, gold, gold alloys, brass and combinations thereof. 
     The metal line may include a first metal line positioned at the center of the cross section thereof and a second metal line surrounding the outer circumference of the first metal line. 
     The first and second metal lines may be made of different materials. 
     The metal line may further include a third metal line surrounding the outer circumference of the second metal line. 
     The third metal line may be made of a material different from that of the second metal line. 
     Each of the digital yarns further includes outer metal lines arranged along the outer circumference of the coating layer and an outer coating layer surrounding the outer metal lines. 
     The outer metal lines may be arranged at regular intervals. 
     The outer metal lines may be arranged densely along the outer circumference of the coating layer. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a digital garment, the method comprising: selecting a particular garment design from a plurality of predetermined garment designs; selecting a particular circuit design from a plurality of predetermined circuit designs; knitting a plurality of knitting yarns so as to conform to the selected garment design and knitting one or more digital yarns to form circuits corresponding to the selected circuit design between the knitting yarns; stitching the knitted fabric to fabricate a garment; and electrically connecting electronic devices to the circuits of the digital yarns in the garment. 
     In the garment design selection step, a coat garment design may be selected in which a body portion and arm portions are disposed opposite to each other at both sides of the body portion; in the knitting step, the knitting yarns and the digital yarns may be knitted without any seams between the body portion and the arm portions, and the digital yarns may be integrally knitted from one of the arm portions to the other arm. 
     The garment design selection step, the circuit design selection step and the knitting step may be carried out using a knitting machine, the knitting machine comprising an input unit for selecting a garment design, a circuit design and a knitting program, a control unit for loading the garment design, the circuit design and the knitting program from a memory in response to input signals of the input unit to process the loaded data, an actuator mechanically operating in response to control signals of the control unit, and a cam operated by the actuator. 
     In the knitting step, the circuits may be formed by knitting the digital yarns in the horizontal or vertical direction with respect to the garment. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     According to the digital garment and the fabrication method of the present invention, the knitting of knitting yarns with digital yarns enables the fabrication of the digital garment in a simple and rapid manner at low cost. 
     In addition, the use of a knitting technique enables the fabrication of the digital garment in a simple manner without any stitched portions (i.e. seams) in portions of the garment through which digital yarns pass. 
     Furthermore, communication circuits or lines are naturally formed using digital yarns during knitting of knitting yarns, thus eliminating the need for additional processing to form the digital yarns, which makes it possible to simply fabricate the digital garment. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  through  FIG. 10  show photographs of some areas of a digital garment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partially enlarged view illustrating loops of a digital garment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  illustrate a cross-sectional view taken along line  4   a - 4   a  of  FIG. 11  and a partial perspective view of digital yarns only, respectively; 
         FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of digital yarns used in a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of metal lines used in a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a digital yarn used in a digital garment according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a flow chart for explaining a method for fabricating a digital garment using a knitting technique according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating the constitution of a knitting machine for fabricating a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a plan view illustrating a fabric after knitting in a method for fabricating a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view illustrating a garment after sewing in a method for fabricating a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 23  is a plan view illustrating a garment to which digital devices are attached in a method for fabricating a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         
           
             
                 
               
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Brief explanation of essential parts of the drawings 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
              
                 
                     
                 
              
             
             
                 
              
                 
                   100: Digital garment using knitting technique 
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   110: Knitting yarns 
                   110r: Loops 
                 
                 
                   120: Digital yarns 
                   120r: Loops 
                 
                 
                   121: Metal lines 
                   122: Coating layer 
                 
                 
                   123: Voids 
                   124: Cover yarns 
                 
                 
                   130: Body portion 
                   140: Arm portions 
                 
                 
                   151: Soft touch panel 
                   152: Electric screen 
                 
                 
                   153: Sensor 
                   154: Wireless communication module 
                 
                 
                   155: Computing device  
                   156: Electric module 
                 
                 
                   300: Knitting machine  
                   310: Input unit 
                 
                 
                   320: Memory 
                   330: Control unit 
                 
                 
                   340: Actuator 
                   350: Cam 
                 
                 
                   360: Monitor 
                 
                 
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     MODE FOR INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, such that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a digital garment  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the digital garment  100  comprises a plurality of knitting yarns  110  interwoven through loops (not shown), and one or more digital yarns  120  woven with the knitting yarns  110  and through which a current flows. There is no restriction on the form of the digital garment  110 . For example, the knitting yarns  110  and the digital yarns  120  can be knitted into a coat as the digital garment  110 . That is, the digital garment  110  may comprise a body portion  130  and arm portions  140  disposed opposite to each other at both sides of the body portion  130 . Examples of other applications of the digital garment  110  include clothes, such as sweaters, cardigans, shirts and waistcoats, and clothing accessories, such as shawls, hats and gloves. 
     No stitched portions (i.e. seams) between the body portion  130  and the arm portions  140  of the digital garment  100  in the form of a coat are formed, so that communication circuits or lines using the digital yarns  120  can be formed from one of the arm portions  140  to the other arm portion  140  via the body portion  130 . However, it should be understood that the digital yarns  120  are knitted with the knitting yarns  110  in a vertical direction as well as a horizontal direction with respect to the body portion  130  to form communication circuits or lines. 
     Further, a device selected from a soft touch pad  151 , an electric screen  152 , a sensor  153 , a wireless communication module  154 , a computing device  155 , an electric module  156  and equivalents thereof can be electrically connected to each end of the digital yarns  120 . No limitation is imposed on the kind of devices electrically connected to the digital yarns  120 . Further, the digital yarns  120  can be electrically connected to the devices  151  through  156  through suitable connectors, such as LAN cables and LAN cards, or by direct soldering. The connected portions between the digital yarns  120  and the devices  151  through  156  are waterproofed to prevent water from permeating thereinto during washing. 
       FIG. 2  through  FIG. 10  show photographs of some areas of a digital garment according to the present invention; 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 10 , the digital garment may have various stitch types. 
     For example, the digital garment has a 7-gauge knit ( FIG. 2 ), a 7-gauge mesh or cable stitch ( FIG. 3 ), a 7-gauge rib or plain stitch ( FIG. 4 ), a 10-gauge knit ( FIG. 5 ), a 10-gauge mesh or cable stitch ( FIG. 6 ), a 10-gauge rib or plain stitch ( FIG. 7 ), a 12-gauge knit ( FIG. 8 ), a 12-gauge mesh or cable stitch ( FIG. 9 ), or a 13-gauge rib or plain stitch ( FIG. 10 ). No limitation is imposed on the stitch type of the digital garment. 
       FIG. 11  is a partially enlarged view illustrating loops of a digital garment  100  according to the present invention; and  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  illustrate a cross-sectional view taken along line  4   a - 4   a  of  FIG. 11  and a partial perspective view of digital yarns only, respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the digital garment  100  comprises a plurality of knitting yarns  110  forming loops  110   r  at regular intervals and interwoven through the loops  110   r , and one or more digital yarns  120  woven with the knitting yarns  110  and through which a current flows. 
     Herein, the plurality of loops  110   r  of the knitting yarns  110  can be arranged at regular intervals. The shapes of the knitting yarns  110  and the loops  110   r  illustrated in  FIG. 11  are provided for illustrative purposes only, and there is no restriction on the knitted form of the knitting yarns  110 . The knitting yarns  110  may be selected from, but not limited to, single-ply yarns, multiple-ply yarns and equivalents thereof. 
     There is no restriction on the weaving and knitting direction of the digital yarns  120 . For example, the digital yarns  120  may be woven and knitted in the horizontal or vertical direction with respect to the loops  110   r  of the knitting yarns  110 . Alternatively, the digital yarns may be woven and knitted in an inclined direction with respect to the loops  110   r  of the knitting yarns  110 . 
     The digital yarns  120  form loops  120   r  at regular intervals and the loops  120   r  can be tied to loops  120   r  of other digital yarns  120 . Further, the digital yarns  120  form loops  120   r  at regular intervals and the loops  120   r  can be tied to the loops  110   r  of the knitting yarns  110 . That is, the digital yarns  120  can be knitted with other digital yarns  120  or between the knitting yarns  110 . In this way, about 1 to about 300 circuits or lines for high-speed information communication can be formed using the digital yarns  120 . The shapes of the digital yarns  120  and the loops  120  illustrated in  FIG. 11  are provided for illustrative purposes only, and there is no restriction on the knitted form of the digital yarns  120 . 
     The digital yarns  120  can be knitted in a wave-like pattern or its equivalent pattern with the knitting yarns  110  or another digital yarn  120 , but the knitting pattern of the digital yarns  120  is not limited. 
     The knitting yarns  110  are relatively thick, compared to the digital yarns  120 . In other words, the digital yarns  120  have a relatively small the thickness as compared to the knitting yarns  110 . As a result, regions where communication circuits or lines are formed using the digital yarns  120  are relatively thin enough to be visually discernible. 
       FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of digital yarns  120  and  120 ′ used in a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The digital yarn  120  includes one or more metal lines  121  and a coating layer  122  covering the metal lines  121 . The metal lines  121  are made by casting and the coating layer  122  is formed of a resin. The metal lines  121  and the coating layer  122  are substantially circular in cross section. Voids may be formed in spaces between the metal lines  121  and the coating layer  122  where the coating layer  122  is not introduced between the metal lines  121 . 
     The metal lines  121  are made of a metal having a low electrical resistance and a high elastic recovery under repeated bending. The metal lines  121  can be made of a material selected from copper, copper alloys, silver, silver alloys, gold, gold alloys, brass and combinations thereof. Seven metal lines  121  are illustrated in  FIG. 14 , but there is no limitation on the number of the metal lines  121 . 
     The coating layer  122  is preferably formed of a waterproof material having the ability to shield electromagnetic waves. In other words, the coating layer  122  must block electromagnetic waves harmful to humans and protect the information communication performance of the metal lines  121  through electron migration from damage during washing of the garment. Particularly, for use in high-speed information communication, it is very important for the coating layer  122  to prevent data moving along the surfaces of the conductors from escaping to the outside or external noise from entering the metal lines  121  to cause a disturbance. Examples of suitable insulating materials for the coating layer  122  include, but are not limited to, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and equivalents thereof. 
     In another embodiment, the digital yarn  120 ′ further includes a plurality of cover yarns  124  surrounding the surface of the coating layer  122 . The thickness of the cover yarns  124  is almost equal to the diameter of the metal lines  121 . The cover yarns  124  are substantially parallel to the length direction of the coating layer  122 . There is no limitation on the material for the cover yarns  124 . For example, the cover yarns  124  may be substantially made of the same material as the knitting yarns  110 . 
     The covering of the surfaces of the coating layer  122  with the cover yarns  124  further improves the strength of the digital yarn  120 ′ to prevent the digital yarns from being snapped due to friction during knitting or washing. That is, since the digital yarn  120  is smaller in diameter than the knitting yarns  110 , there exists the danger that the digital yarn  120  may be snapped due to friction during knitting or washing. In contrast, since the diameter of the digital yarn  120 ′ including the cover yarns  124  is similar to that of the knitting yarns  110 , there is no danger that the digital yarn  120 ′ may be snapped due to friction during knitting or washing, and therefore, the performance of the digital yarn  120 ′ as communication lines can be maintained for a long period of time. 
       FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  illustrate enlarged cross-sectional views of metal lines  121  used in a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the metal line  121  may include a first metal line  121   a  and a second metal line  121   b  surrounding the first metal line  121   a . The first metal line  121   a  is made of a material different from that of the second metal line  121   b . The first metal line  121   a  and the second metal line  121   b  are substantially circular in cross section. The first metal line  121   a  is made of a material having a low electrical resistance and a high elastic recovery under repeated bending. Specifically, the material for the first metal line  121   a  is selected from copper, copper alloys, brass and equivalents thereof. The second metal line  121   b  can be made of a relatively highly conductive material for use in high-speed communication. The material for the second metal line  121   b  is determined taking into consideration the skin effect of the second metal line  121   b . Specifically, the material for the second metal line  121   b  is selected from silver, silver alloys and equivalents thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the metal line  121  may further include a third metal line  121   c  surrounding the outer circumference of the second metal line  121   b . The third metal line  121   c  is substantially circular in cross section and is made of a material different from the materials for the first metal line  121   a  and the second metal line  121   b . The third metal line  121   c  can be made of a relatively highly conductive material for use in high-speed communication. Specifically, the material for the third metal line  121   c  is selected from gold, gold alloys and equivalents thereof. 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a digital yarn  220  used in a digital garment according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the digital yarn  220  further includes metal lines  121 , a coating layer  122 , a plurality of outer metal lines  221  formed along the outer circumference of the coating layer  122  and an outer coating layer  222  surrounding the outer circumferences of the outer metal lines  221 . 
     Voids  123  may be formed in spaces between the metal lines  121  and the coating layer  122  during formation of the digital yarn  220 . Also, voids  223  may be formed in spaces defined by the coating layer  122 , the outer metal lines  221  and the outer coating layer  222 . 
     The outer metal lines  221  are arranged at regular intervals along the outer circumference of the coating layer  122 . Further, the outer metal lines  221  can be arranged densely so as to surround the circumference of the coating layer  122 . 
     The outer metal lines  221  serve to block electromagnetic waves of the metal lines  121  from reaching the wearer and external electromagnetic noise from entering the metal lines  121 . The outer metal lines  221  are made of the same material as the metal lines  121 . The outer metal lines  221  formed outside the metal lines  121  have a sectional area larger than that of the metal lines  121 . Due to this construction, the outer metal lines  221  can easily absorb electromagnetic noise. As a result, the outer metal lines  221  can serve to further improve the ability of the coating layer  122  to block noise. 
     The outer coating layer  222  is formed so as to surround the outer circumferences of the outer metal lines  221 . The outer coating layer  222  is formed of the same material as the coating layer  221  to block external noise from entering therein. 
     In conclusion, the outer metal lines  221  and the outer coating layer  222  formed outside the metal lines  121  and the coating layer  122  can efficiently block electromagnetic waves of the metal lines  121  from reaching the wearer and external electromagnetic noise from entering the metal lines  121 . 
     Although not shown, the digital yarn  220  may further include a plurality of cover yarns on the surface of the outer coating layer  222  to achieve improved strength. Due this improved strength, the digital yarn  220  can be prevented from being snapped due to friction during knitting or washing, and the performance of the digital yarn  120  as a communication line can be maintained for a long period of time. 
       FIG. 19  is a flow chart for explaining a method for fabricating a digital garment using a knitting technique according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the method comprises the following steps: garment design selection S 1 , circuit design selection S 2 , knitting S 3 , stitching S 4  and device mounting S 5 . 
     In step S 1 , a worker selects a desired particular garment design from a plurality of predetermined garment designs. 
     In step S 2 , the worker selects a desired particular circuit design from a plurality of predetermined circuit designs. Steps S 1  and S 2  may be carried out in a reverse order. It is to be appreciated that the worker can design new ones in the user-defined mode. 
     In step S 3 , a plurality of knitting yarns are knitted so as to conform to the selected garment design and one or more digital yarns are knitted to form circuits corresponding to the selected circuit design between the knitting yarns. 
     In step S 4 , the knitted fabric is stitched or sewn to fabricate a garment. 
     In step S 5 , a variety of devices are electrically connected to the circuits of the digital yarns in the garment. Steps S 4  and S 5  may be carried out in a reverse order. That is, after the devices are electrically connected to the circuits, the garment is stitched. 
     In step S 1 , a coat garment design can be selected in which a body portion and arm portions are disposed opposite to each other at both sides of the body portion; and in step S 3 , the knitting yarns and the digital yarns can be knitted without any seams between the body portion and the arm portions, and the digital yarns can be integrally knitted from one of the arm portions to the other arm. 
       FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating the constitution of a knitting machine  300  for fabricating a digital garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the knitting machine  300  comprises an input unit  310 , a control unit  330  having a memory  320 , an actuator  340  and a cam  350 . 
     The input unit  310  may be selected from keypads, keyboards and equivalents thereof. By the use of the input unit  310 , a worker selects a garment design, a circuit design and a knitting program. It should be understood that the worker can directly plan a garment design, a circuit design and a knitting program, and can amend and correct the selected ones. 
     The control unit  330  loads the garment design, the circuit design and the knitting program from the memory  320  in response to input signals of the input unit  310  to process the loaded data in a predetermined order. A plurality of garment designs, a plurality of circuit designs and a particular knitting program are previously stored in the memory  320 . The control unit  330  may be composed of a central processing unit, buffers and input/output interfaces, but is not limited thereto. 
     The actuator  340  acts to convert electrical signals of the control unit  330  to mechanical signals and output the mechanical signals. For example, the actuator  340  may be selected from, but not limited to, air solenoids, hydraulic solenoids, electronic solenoids, and equivalents thereof. 
     The number of rotations of the cam  350  is dependent on the operation of the actuator  340 . The cam  350  is operated in such a manner that knitting yarns and digital yarns are knitted so as to conform to the selected garment and circuit designs. Since the actuator  340  and the cam  350  are those used in a general knitting machine, they can be operated without difficulty by one skilled in the art and detailed explanation thereof is omitted. 
     The control unit  330  may further include a monitor for displaying knitting-related input command and control processing procedures, etc. 
     Steps S 1 , S 2  and S 3  are carried out using the knitting machine  300 . 
       FIG. 21  is a plan view illustrating a fabric after knitting in the method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , in step S 3 , the knitting yarns  110  are mainly knitted so as to conform to the selected garment design to fabricate a fabric  100  and the digital yarns  120  are knitted in the horizontal or vertical direction with respect to the fabric  100  to form circuits. In  FIG. 21 , the digital yarns  120  are knitted so as to conform to the selected circuit design to form circuits from one of the arm portions  140  to the other arm portion  140  via the body portion  130 . Circuits of the digital yarns  120  are also formed in the body portion  130  in the horizontal or vertical direction. 
     As illustrated, no stitched portions (i.e. seams) are formed between the arm portions  140  and the body portion  130  of the fabric  100 . The circuits of the digital yarns  120  without being cut enable rapid fabrication of the digital garment  100  at reduced cost. 
     Reference numeral  130   b  indicates a hole through which the wearer&#39;s head passes. 
       FIG. 22  is a plan view illustrating a garment after sewing in the method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , after knitting, both lateral edges  130   a  of the body portion  130  are stitched or sewn, and the upper and lower edges  140   a  of the arm portions  140  are stitched or sewn to complete the fabrication of a wearable garment  100 . No circuits of the digital yarns  120  pass through the lateral lines  130   a  of the body portion  130  and the upper and lower lines  140   a  of the arm portions  140 . That is, there is no cutting of the circuits. 
       FIG. 23  is a plan view illustrating a garment to which digital devices are attached in the method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , in step S 5 , a device selected from a soft touch pad  151 , an electric screen  152 , a sensor  153 , a wireless communication module  154 , a computing device  155 , an electric module  156  and equivalents thereof is electrically connected to each end of the circuits of the digital yarns  120  to complete the fabrication of the digital garment  100 . The electrical connection of the devices  151  through  156  to the respective circuits of the digital yarns  120  can be accomplished using suitable connectors or by soldering. The connected portions between the digital yarns  120  and the devices  151  through  156  are waterproofed to prevent water from permeating thereinto during washing. 
     Although the forgoing embodiments have been described to practice the digital garment and the fabrication method of the present invention, these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications and variations can be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and such modifications and variations are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     This work was supported by the IT R&amp;D program of MIC/IITA [2006-S-029-02, Design and Development of Woven UFC (Ubiquitous Fashionable Computer) Technology].